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
As for the secret to their successful relationship? Grace Gavilanes, People.com, 15 June 2025 The secret here is Patagonia’s durable spandex jersey blend that stretches with give, hugging in all the right places. Kayla Becker, Travel + Leisure, 14 June 2025
Adjective
The South Carolina General Assembly approved a firing squad and passed a shield law bill, which allowed the suppliers of the drugs to stay secret. Jeffrey Collins, Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2025 Thanks to a secret brain-swapping experiment, Mabel is able to transfer her mind into a robot beaver and heads to a pond, where refugees from the encroaching industrialization have landed. Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 13 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for secret
Recent Examples of Synonyms for secret
Noun
  • Analyst Alex Zukin pointed to growing confidence over the near-term growth opportunity around artificial intelligence.
    Darla Mercado, CFP®, CNBC, 12 June 2025
  • The success of 2024 provided Team O’Neill with enough confidence to pack their bags and head to Dubai for a start in the Godolphin Mile at Meydan Race Course on April 5, 2025.
    Danny Brewer, Forbes.com, 12 June 2025
Noun
  • This was a period during which the red planet seemed to be ready to give up some of its mystery.
    Matthew Shindell, The Conversation, 6 June 2025
  • The mysteries of Césaire’s work and life have been an open question of Martiniquan, French, and wider Caribbean history.
    Zac Ntim, Deadline, 6 June 2025
Noun
  • Much of the work is behind-the-scenes—updating certificates, keys and secrets—but intrinsic to efficient, secure and well-managed operations.
    Jordan Rackie, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
  • That was the addition of an exhilarating conga pattern, and piano keys and a trumpet section played by Arturo Sandoval.
    Thania Garcia, Variety, 20 June 2025
Adjective
  • The Square, from South Korean director Bo-Sol Kim, which blends political commentary with experimental animation in its story of a Swedish diplomat in Pyongyang who begins a clandestine affair with a local traffic officer, took the jury prize of the Contrechamps section.
    Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 14 June 2025
  • During the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, Alcala — without school authorization — took wrestling mats from El Modena, had the wrestling team load them into a U-Haul truck, and then took them to a warehouse for clandestine practices, Plaintiff Two said.
    Scott Schwebke, Oc Register, 13 June 2025
Adjective
  • Sarli did, however, recently post about the ordeal on TikTok, so her viral video and media attention might expose their undercover rendezvous to the bride and groom.
    Ashlyn Robinette, People.com, 18 June 2025
  • Another investigator used an undercover profile to contact Slusher as others worked to identify him, deputies said.
    Kate Linderman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 June 2025
Adjective
  • The secluded property spans nearly 13,000 square feet of both inside and outdoor space where guests can post up by the pool, lounge in covered cabanas, or nosh on authentic Caribbean spreads fusing African, West Indian, and European cuisine.
    Karla Pope, Architectural Digest, 19 June 2025
  • Nestled on the coasts of Islamorada, a village in the Florida Keys, are a series of secluded beaches that attract saltwater fishermen from all over the world.
    Kara Franker, Southern Living, 19 June 2025
Adjective
  • Supreme questions Boise developer, district, homeowners After chiding both sides for using confidential information from an accidental email in their arguments, the Supreme Court justices grilled lawyers representing the homeowners, the city and Barber Valley Development.
    Nick Rosenberger, Idaho Statesman, 14 June 2025
  • The board hired Howard to conduct a confidential personnel investigation.
    Kristen Taketa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 June 2025
Noun
  • There are only two category C games — Wolves and Sunderland — where tickets are priced between £37 and £60.
    Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 18 June 2025
  • Other parts of the package include tax exemptions on such things as sunscreen, insect repellant, tickets to NASCAR championship races, fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, life jackets, bicycle helmets and admission to state parks.
    Jim Turner, Miami Herald, 17 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Secret.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/secret. Accessed 24 Jun. 2025.

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