tight-lipped
adjective
1
: having the lips closed tight (as in determination)
2
: reluctant to speak : taciturn
Examples of tight-lipped in a Sentence
the cabinet official is usually tight-lipped about her private life
Recent Examples on the Web
Seven more months passed as investigators remained tight-lipped and fielded criticism for the lack of an arrest in the case.
—
Andi Babineau, CNN Money, 23 Apr. 2026
Gorka has been tight-lipped about the contents of his strategy.
—Hannah Allam, ProPublica, 21 Apr. 2026
While officials remained tight-lipped during the lengthy investigation, internet sleuths and tabloids uncovered what appeared to be various connections between Burke and Rivas.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 20 Apr. 2026
Law enforcement authorities and officials in Lake Zurich Unit School District 95 have been tight-lipped over the situation at the high school, home of the Bears.
—Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tight-lipped
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Andi Babineau, CNN Money, 23 Apr. 2026
Gorka has been tight-lipped about the contents of his strategy.
—Hannah Allam, ProPublica, 21 Apr. 2026
While officials remained tight-lipped during the lengthy investigation, internet sleuths and tabloids uncovered what appeared to be various connections between Burke and Rivas.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 20 Apr. 2026
Law enforcement authorities and officials in Lake Zurich Unit School District 95 have been tight-lipped over the situation at the high school, home of the Bears.
—Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tight-lipped
Cite this Entry
“Tight-lipped.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tight-lipped. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
