1
as in confidential
not known or meant to be known by the general populace
that he is planning to retire is private information until he makes a public announcement
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in clandestine
undertaken or done so as to escape being observed or known by others
a private investigation of the organization's activities
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in personal
of, relating to, or belonging to a single person
club lockers in which private property may be stored
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of private
On July 12, 2020, the actress — known for her roles in many beloved films and TV shows throughout the '80s and '90s like For Love and Honor, Twins, Jerry Maguire and Addicted to Love — died following a private two-year diagnosis with breast cancer.
—
Kate Hogan, People.com, 12 July 2025
In recent months, Trump has made selective public appearances that reflect her private, lowkey nature.
—Jay Stahl, USA Today, 12 July 2025
The private peninsula juts out into Flathead Lake, the largest body of fresh water west of the Mississippi River.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 12 July 2025
The recent acquisition of 80% of its operating business by one of Europe’s oldest and most prestigious private equity firms, PAI Partners, values the brand at $3.6 billion.
—Katharina Kotrba, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for private
Kate Hogan, People.com, 12 July 2025
In recent months, Trump has made selective public appearances that reflect her private, lowkey nature.
—Jay Stahl, USA Today, 12 July 2025
The private peninsula juts out into Flathead Lake, the largest body of fresh water west of the Mississippi River.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 12 July 2025
The recent acquisition of 80% of its operating business by one of Europe’s oldest and most prestigious private equity firms, PAI Partners, values the brand at $3.6 billion.
—Katharina Kotrba, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for private
Recent Examples of Synonyms for private
Adjective
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State police also launched an internal probe into the lead homicide detective, Michael Proctor, who was fired for sharing confidential information with civilians outside of law enforcement and drinking on the job.—
Michael Ruiz,
FOXNews.com,
20 July 2025
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Instead of attempting to gain public trust through transparency, Musk’s company is currently pressing federal regulators to bury its robotaxi safety record, claiming the data must remain confidential for business reasons.—
Christiaan Hetzner,
Fortune,
20 July 2025
Adjective
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After paying private equity tycoon Jack McGinley $52 million in a clandestine off-market deal for the Georgian-style spread, which was designed by architect Don Nulty and built in 2009 for 9-1-1: Lone Star actor Rob Lowe, Levine and Prinsloo have put the place back on the market for $65 million.—
Wendy Bowman,
Robb Report,
10 July 2025
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Built to listen for clandestine nuclear bomb blasts, the globe-spanning system detects low-frequency acoustic-gravity waves.—
Deni Ellis Béchard,
Scientific American,
9 July 2025
Adjective
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After a turbulent 18 months in both his personal and professional life, an immediate return to F1’s frontlines would seem unlikely, this now giving him a moment to pause and collect himself.—
Luke Smith,
New York Times,
11 July 2025
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The chatbot’s search for Musk’s personal views on the topic likely falls into the same category.—
Reed Albergotti,
semafor.com,
11 July 2025
Adjective
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By law, grand jury testimony is kept secret, except in matters of national security or counterintelligence, neither of which applies in this case.—
Meredith Kile,
People.com,
22 July 2025
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Grand jury proceedings are typically secret, and files from them can only be released in limited circumstances.—
Danielle Chemtob,
Forbes.com,
21 July 2025
Adjective
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Watch a sneak peek below, then read on for more: Go undercover and solve local mysteries with Christmas shop owner Emily Lane!—
Matt Webb Mitovich,
TVLine,
7 July 2025
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The solution was to move sensitive work — such as undercover drug operations or high-risk search warrants — to encrypted channels while making the day-to-day calls for service accessible.—
Teri Figueroa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 July 2025
Adjective
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As originally proposed, the CTA Super Loop running west from North and Clybourn would have merely grazed Lincoln Yards with an underground station at the far southwestern corner of the tract, North and Elston.—
F.K. Plous,
Chicago Tribune,
11 July 2025
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There are several places to park for Scottsdale Canal Convergence: Scottsdale Waterfront underground parking garage, 7135 E. Camelback Road.—
Meredith G. White,
AZCentral.com,
10 July 2025
Adjective
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However, a driver is not legally obligated to submit to a field sobriety test, pre-arrest test or cheek swab at a DUI checkpoint, according to the Law Offices of Grech and Parker in Riverside. Field sobriety tests are subjective and may not accurately measure sobriety, according to Bee archives.—
Sarah Linn
July 11,
Sacbee.com,
11 July 2025
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To celebrate that landmark album turning 50, here’s one longtime Fleetwood Mac fan’s unabashedly subjective countdown of their best songs, from the massive pop hits that defined their most successful lineup to assorted album cuts and highlights of their earliest recordings. 40.—
Ed Masley,
AZCentral.com,
11 July 2025
Adjective
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And Aleesha spontaneously planted a kiss on Luke while celebrating their successful covert operation to get Karina’s laptop.—
Claire Franken,
TVLine,
10 July 2025
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American Dad! is back on FOX and heading into their 20th season of outlandish plots, covert ops and alien escapades.—
Katie Campione,
Deadline,
8 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Private.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/private. Accessed 25 Jul. 2025.
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