tight-lipped

adjective

Synonyms of tight-lippednext
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
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.
As for the problems the team is facing, the Spaniard was tight-lipped, offering no specifics. Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2026 The tight-lipped kids are more ready to trust her, and one clearly scared girl references the diner from the prologue. Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Feb. 2026 Chopra Jonas is tight-lipped on both fronts. Tatiana Siegel, Variety, 11 Feb. 2026 Congressional Republicans and the White House have been tight-lipped about the contents of the White House’s counterproposal, suggesting the back-and-forth is more than a partisan exercise. David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 10 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for tight-lipped

Word History

First Known Use

1876, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of tight-lipped was in 1876

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tight-lipped.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tight-lipped. Accessed 2 Mar. 2026.

Kids Definition

tight-lipped

adjective
-ˈlipt
1
: having the lips closed tight (as in determination)
2
: not liking to speak : taciturn
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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