1
as in confidential
not known or meant to be known by the general populace
privy information on the current state of the peace negotiations
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in clandestine
undertaken or done so as to escape being observed or known by others
privy meetings between high-level representatives from both sides for the purpose of bringing about an armistice
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in personal
of, relating to, or belonging to a single person
a privy seal that can be used only by the British monarch
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in outhouse
Related Words
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of privy
Mike Snider, USA Today, 10 Dec. 2025
As the crisis reached fever pitch, on October 23 news arrived from the Queen’s privy chamber.
—Literary Hub, 4 Nov. 2025
Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 23 June 2025
In the time of the Founding Fathers the privy was also known as the necessary, being so instrumental to every person.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 12 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for privy
Adjective
The number of sets symbolizes the 232 years since the penny's creation in 1793; all of the pennies bear an Ω symbol, an Omega privy mark, marking the end of the penny and reflecting the unique character of the coins.
—Mike Snider, USA Today, 10 Dec. 2025
As the crisis reached fever pitch, on October 23 news arrived from the Queen’s privy chamber.
—Literary Hub, 4 Nov. 2025
Noun
There are horse camps with privies and wells at approximately 18- to 25-mile intervals.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 23 June 2025
In the time of the Founding Fathers the privy was also known as the necessary, being so instrumental to every person.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 12 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for privy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for privy
Adjective
-
Yet according to confidential banking records and corporate documents reviewed by the Miami Herald, this unassuming address is one of several South Florida locations at the center of a sprawling financial network that moved at least $260 million connected to Argentina’s top soccer authority.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
27 Mar. 2026
-
McGraw Media agreed to remove all content from the documentary-style series that the department designates as inaccurate or confidential, that the NYPD is legally prohibited from releasing, that reveals investigatory techniques or that would otherwise compromise public safety or the public trust.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Emergency passports handed off at clandestine locations.—
Shannon K. Kingston,
ABC News,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Jerkins’ family operation included his cousin, Robert Smith, known as Big Bert, with whom Brandy began a clandestine relationship as the recording progressed.—
Jackson Howard,
Pitchfork,
29 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Brooks is still wont to assume that social crises are a function of our personal habits, not economic or political injustice, and his methodological tics are the same as ever.—
Becca Rothfeld,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Wacha kept the Braves off the scoreboard while Salvador Perez provided the offense, hitting his first homer of the season and snapping a personal 15-inning scoreless streak.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The best illustration of Voros’ power and essential role in making The Madison less bad than it might have otherwise been comes in the second episode, when Paige gets stung by hornets in the Montana cabin’s outhouse.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Mar. 2026
-
The camp is rudimentary: the bathrooms are described as simple outhouses drilled into the snow, while the dining tent boasts a basic air fryer and bread machine.—
Joe Wilkins Published Jan 28,
Futurism,
28 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Trump told reporters over the weekend that the military aspect of the project was meant to remain secret, according to previous USA TODAY reporting.—
Michelle Del Rey,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
-
On Tuesday, the pop star shared a montage clip on X from his secret pre-Coachella show at the Roxy Theater in Los Angeles this past weekend.—
Maya Georgi,
Rolling Stone,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Get Ready: Katy Perry Has Released a Sneak Peek of Her New Song And the internet has receipts.—
Mehera Bonner,
Marie Claire,
15 Mar. 2017
Adjective
-
Ospina gives us access to the actions of these non-human protagonists—inviting us to reflect on their subjective experience and to feel the urgency and promise of their journeys.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
31 Mar. 2026
-
However, the process still remains the critical weak point of modern-day aviation, as predictions rely heavily on subjective and often inaccurate pilot reports.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The one commode in it was shielded from sight only by wooden shutters, which swung on double-action spring hinges, like saloon doors, and had to be latched shut with a hook on a swivel.—
Caleb Crain,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Mar. 2026
-
Its bath has a Jacuzzi tub, a large steam shower, and a room for the commode.—
James Alexander,
Hartford Courant,
22 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Privy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/privy. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
