secret 1 of 2

1
as in confidence
information shared only with another or with a select few you didn't really expect him to keep a secret from his wife, did you?

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2
as in mystery
something hard to understand or explain the secrets of the Egyptian pyramids include the construction methods used to lift the huge blocks of stone in place

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3

secret

2 of 2

adjective

1
2
as in undercover
working on missions in which one's objectives, activities, or true identity are not publicly revealed secret agents whose wartime exploits were known only by top government officials

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3
as in secluded
screened or sequestered from view a secret cave that is screened by trees

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4

Synonym Chooser

How is the word secret distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of secret are clandestine, covert, furtive, stealthy, surreptitious, and underhanded. While all these words mean "done without attracting observation," secret implies concealment on any grounds for any motive.

met at a secret location

When would clandestine be a good substitute for secret?

While the synonyms clandestine and secret are close in meaning, clandestine implies secrecy usually for an evil, illicit, or unauthorized purpose and often emphasizes the fear of being discovered.

a clandestine meeting of conspirators

In what contexts can covert take the place of secret?

In some situations, the words covert and secret are roughly equivalent. However, covert stresses the fact of not being open or declared.

covert intelligence operations

When is furtive a more appropriate choice than secret?

The synonyms furtive and secret are sometimes interchangeable, but furtive implies a sly or cautious stealthiness.

lovers exchanging furtive glances

When is it sensible to use stealthy instead of secret?

The words stealthy and secret can be used in similar contexts, but stealthy suggests taking pains to avoid being seen or heard especially in some misdoing.

the stealthy step of a burglar

Where would surreptitious be a reasonable alternative to secret?

The words surreptitious and secret are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, surreptitious applies to action or behavior done secretly often with skillful avoidance of detection and in violation of custom, law, or authority.

the surreptitious stockpiling of weapons

When could underhanded be used to replace secret?

While in some cases nearly identical to secret, underhanded stresses fraud or deception.

an underhanded trick

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 secret
Noun
Based on the novel by May Cobb, the eight-episode series follows Sophie, who moves to East Texas and becomes embroiled in the secrets and scandals of a group of local wives. Darah Derios, Charlotte Observer, 22 July 2025 Robotic secrets To move from operating on pig cadaver samples to live pigs and then, potentially, to humans, robots like SRT-H need training data that is extremely hard to come by. Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 21 July 2025
Adjective
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 Grand jury proceedings are typically secret, and files from them can only be released in limited circumstances. Danielle Chemtob, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for secret
Recent Examples of Synonyms for secret
Noun
  • More than 500 faculty members signed a letter of no confidence in President Jay Hartzell, then UT's leader, for his response to the protesters as well as his April 2 termination of former diversity, equity and inclusion employees.
    Lily Kepner, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
  • Tracey Harvey, inspired by Kelly’s confidence, climbed a wall in Hyde Park to get a better view of the stage.
    Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 30 July 2025
Noun
  • In this murder mystery set in opulent Nantucket, when a body washes ashore during a family’s wedding, everyone is a suspect.
    Karin Slaughter, People.com, 29 July 2025
  • But what begins as a local emergency soon spirals into a deeper, more terrifying mystery, one that forces the town’s residents to confront the unknown.
    Alex Ritman, Variety, 29 July 2025
Noun
  • The Bradenton Area, which includes Anna Maria Island and Longboat key, claims 16 miles of uninterrupted sugar-white coastline.
    Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 26 July 2025
  • This small-statured device is among the only ones to ship with actual keys for pressing, a feature that's hard to find these days.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 25 July 2025
Adjective
  • Speaking with Robbie Fox on the My Mom's Basement podcast, the former WWE Champion shared the story of the clandestine meeting.
    Andrew Ravens‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 July 2025
  • Even when targeting America’s enemies, not all are supportive of clandestine cyberattacks.
    Thomas Brewster, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
Adjective
  • At the beginning of the season, host Alan Cumming picks the Traitors that will pit the Faithful against each other by murdering them one by one while trying to remain undercover.
    Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 22 July 2025
  • Ogles cited an undercover video obtained by conservative news website Townhall which appears to show a university employee discussing the school’s Office of Hope, Unity, and Belonging.
    Ruben Montoya, The Tennessean, 19 July 2025
Adjective
  • While there are lots of lively family-friendly activities in the area—including Pier Park and Shipwreck Island—PCB also has quieter, more secluded spots to soak up the sun, stroll along the surf, and discover all of the natural beauty this part of northwest Florida has to offer.
    Lydia Mansel, Southern Living, 25 July 2025
  • Police reviewed surveillance footage showing Morrow interaction with the two boys under a bridge at the park Police, who were familiar with the park, reviewed surveillance footage showing Morrow interacting with the two under a bridge in the park in a secluded area out of public view.
    Adrienne Davis, jsonline.com, 25 July 2025
Adjective
  • Annual recurring revenue jumped to $13 billion, up from $10 billion in June, said the person, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss confidential financial information, and is projected to top $20 billion by year-end.
    MacKenzie Sigalos, CNBC, 1 Aug. 2025
  • The formerly confidential memo, which the grand jury obtained, says the city’s riskiest practices included collecting money for projects that can’t happen due to land unavailability, breaking the five-year rule and illegally devoting money to existing infrastructure.
    David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 July 2025
Noun
  • Buy tickets in advance at ticketweb.com (there is a small online fee) or at the door.
    Pomerado News, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 July 2025
  • Roan partnered with CashApp to offer 15% cash back on tickets purchased using the app’s Visa debit card.
    Karu F. Daniels, New York Daily News, 24 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Secret.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/secret. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.

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