as in silent
given to keeping one's activities hidden from public observation or knowledge
the intelligence agency remained secretive despite the media's demands for more openness in government
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Recent Examples of secretive
The Oscar-winning 2024 movie, which explores the secretive process of selecting a new pope, has seen a surge in viewership following the pontiff's death.
—
Doc Louallen, ABC News, 25 Apr. 2025
Julius’s secretive couplings with a Latino gambler (Diego Calva) are discreet, never sensual like Hernández’s nude compositions.
—Armond White, National Review, 25 Apr. 2025
Although the story is fictional, the movie does offer some insight into the highly secretive voting process the Roman Catholic Church utilizes to choose a new pontiff.
—Jade Walker, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2025
The next pope will be selected during conclave, a secretive gathering of cardinals from all over the world.
—Nia Dumas, NPR, 22 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for secretive
Doc Louallen, ABC News, 25 Apr. 2025
Julius’s secretive couplings with a Latino gambler (Diego Calva) are discreet, never sensual like Hernández’s nude compositions.
—Armond White, National Review, 25 Apr. 2025
Although the story is fictional, the movie does offer some insight into the highly secretive voting process the Roman Catholic Church utilizes to choose a new pontiff.
—Jade Walker, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2025
The next pope will be selected during conclave, a secretive gathering of cardinals from all over the world.
—Nia Dumas, NPR, 22 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for secretive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for secretive
Adjective
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But that learning curve can be steep, isolating and — too often — silent.—
Yolanda Wiggins,
Mercury News,
24 Apr. 2025
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The trick now is knowing where to go and which Muay Thai boxing schools, silent monasteries, or health spas to choose.—
Lee Cobaj,
Robb Report,
24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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As season three continues, the quiet part is said out loud.—
Cyndy Etler,
Hartford Courant,
28 Apr. 2025
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In the rich and frequently chaotic history of Marseille, there can have been fewer more apt demonstrations of the club’s inherent tendency towards turbulence than the decision to head to Rome for some peace and quiet in the same week as the death of the Pope.—
Tom Williams,
New York Times,
28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Melania Trump wears black veil to Pope Francis' funeral as President Trump dons blue suit As the president's second term in office passes the 100-day mark, here is a closer look at the first lady's lookbook.—
Jay Stahl,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2025
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His close alignment with Trump has damaged his tech company brands, and despite being one of the most proactive members of the president's team, his job approval rating has been ranked as even lower than Trump's.—
Mohammed Soliman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Lue’s two stars are reticent, but James Harden and Kawhi Leonard spoke volumes with their play in forcing a Game 7 in Denver on Saturday night.—
Houston Mitchell,
Los Angeles Times,
2 May 2025
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The ‘big three’ countries of India, Australia and England have been reticent given that slipping into the lower bracket would scupper their money-making plans.—
Tristan Lavalette,
Forbes.com,
10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Some supporters felt their club had become too corporate, too cold and too uncommunicative.—
Greg O'Keeffe,
The Athletic,
20 Dec. 2024
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Often, a less qualified candidate who displays high energy and eagerness can outshine a more qualified individual who appears disinterested and uncommunicative.—
Jack Kelly,
Forbes,
25 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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There’s also the closemouthed, menacing technician who lives on a houseboat and raises snakes; the actress first hired for the show’s leading part who dropped out of the role before shooting began; and the unknown burglar who fled the frightened player’s house.—
Tom Nolan,
WSJ,
23 Dec. 2022
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Hutton’s gaptoothed smile replaced the closemouthed gaze and white eyeliner of Vogue models of the 1960s.—
Washington Post,
Washington Post,
25 Dec. 2021
Adjective
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This Georgia Rain style has a dark brown finish with distressing and burnishing for an antique appearance.—
Ali Faccenda,
People.com,
28 Apr. 2025
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The bigger screen sizes each sit on two flat, narrow feet that are dark gray metal.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
28 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Secretive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/secretive. Accessed 10 May. 2025.
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