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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
And ahead of his 100th birthday on Dec. 13, the actor and comedian is sharing his secrets to living a happy life. Carly Tagen-Dye, People.com, 29 Apr. 2025 That’s her secret for making the zanier pattern choice work. Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 29 Apr. 2025
Adjective
Right now, Amazon is having a secret sale on Crocs, with everything from clogs, flip-flops, platform sandals, and more up to 71 percent off. Rylee Johnston, Travel + Leisure, 27 Apr. 2025 The secret process, which takes as long as needed, is vastly different from U.S. presidential, local and even mayoral elections. Gabriele Regalbuto, FOXNews.com, 26 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for secret
Recent Examples of Synonyms for secret
Noun
  • The over-all electricity of the restaurant—its confidence, its clarity, its idiosyncrasy—feels true to the early years of Momofuku, and makes Kabawa a tropical bulwark against New York’s recent retreat into the anesthetizing comforts of French food and steak houses.
    Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 4 May 2025
  • As all 2,161 of their fans entered Fratton Park, the nerves were palpable — but there was an air of confidence.
    Nick Miller, New York Times, 3 May 2025
Noun
  • Streep and Short’s characters got married in the fourth season of the murder mystery show and, in a too-sweet parallel, the two actors are rumored to be dating for real as well.
    Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 5 May 2025
  • But the distribution of gold, which is heavier than iron, throughout the universe has posed a mystery to astrophysicists.
    Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 3 May 2025
Noun
  • The song actually started three or four keys lower.
    Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2025
  • The iron box housed 16 cigarette cases, 10 bracelets, a bag made of wire mesh, a comb, a chain with a key and a powder compact.
    Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 May 2025
Adjective
  • He was allegedly held in a clandestine detention site and tortured by intelligence agents.
    Antonio Maria Delgado, Miami Herald, 30 Apr. 2025
  • Guests can order craft cocktails at the circular bar, and for those who indulge, there’s a small, clandestine cigar room just off the entrance.
    John Wogan, Travel + Leisure, 23 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The Han Solo bon mot is reminiscent of Diego Luna's confusion when he is asked about smoothing some of Cassian Andor's rougher edges to go undercover as fashion designer Varian Skye in the second block of Andor season 2 episodes.
    Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 1 May 2025
  • Next up, he’s set to star alongside Bryce Dallas Howard and Sean Bean in the action comedy Deep Cover, about a group of improv actors who are asked to go undercover.
    Keith Langston, People.com, 15 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • There is also an outdoor adventure course, a splash zone, and non-motorized water sports at the secluded beachfront.
    Kareema Bee, Travel + Leisure, 3 May 2025
  • Without a secluded period and monitoring, officials said the birds could have been a risk for spreading zoonotic diseases, such as bird flu.
    Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 May 2025
Adjective
  • The White House’s claims about Abrego Garcia’s gang affiliation are based mostly on one confidential tip.
    Caroline Vakil, The Hill, 23 Apr. 2025
  • Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS; all calls are kept confidential.
    Nicholas Williams, New York Daily News, 22 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Performers raised the roof and so did ticket prices.
    Scott Heller, New York Times, 1 May 2025
  • Fans flocking to the new park this summer are set to drive up travel demand to Orlando, with an increase in flight capacity and ticket prices to the theme park hub compared to last year.
    Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 1 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Secret.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/secret. Accessed 10 May. 2025.

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