CLOSE-MOUTHED Synonyms: 82 Similar and Opposite Words

closemouthed

adjective

ˈklōz-ˌmau̇tht

Definition of closemouthed

as in silent

given to keeping one's activities hidden from public observation or knowledge he remained closemouthed about their activities

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in reserved

tending not to speak frequently (as by habit or inclination) encourage the closemouthed children to speak up and not be shy

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 closemouthed Ever since the couple pulled up stakes and moved away from the United Kingdom in March, their new spokespeople have been even more closemouthed. — Maria Puente, USA TODAY, 15 Sep. 2020

Recent Examples of Synonyms for closemouthed

Adjective

Born Wong Liu Tsong on January 3, 1905, her career spanned both silent film and talkies.

— Glenn Garner, Deadline, 10 July 2026
Climate change will continue to exacerbate conflict long after the guns fall silent, with profound implications for human security, national stability, and international peace.

— Sarah Yerkes, Time, 10 July 2026

Definition of silent

Adjective

An opportunity to benefit from FIFA’s litigious inconsistencies, which usually feel reserved for the A-list stars.

— Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 7 July 2026
The American Express Platinum Card® comes with access to Amex Experiences, which gets you special access to presale, reserved and preferred tickets.

— Ryley Amond, CNBC, 7 July 2026

Definition of reserved

Adjective

Even though talks with the Boston Red Sox at last year’s deadline never got close, the confusion provided by an incorrect tweet announcing Ryan’s trade to New England put the pitcher at the top of every trade list before the season even began.

— Dan Hayes, New York Times, 6 July 2026
Ashley Smith is the manager of player engagement for the NFL, and the siblings are close.

— Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 6 July 2026

Definition of close

Adjective

Australia has been attempting to shore up its role as the security partner of choice in the region since 2022 when China struck a secretive security treaty with the Solomon Islands.

— ABC News, ABC News, 6 July 2026
The highly secretive ceremony transformed the arena's interior to welcome their extensive guest list, which included officiant Adam Sandler, and many more.

— Brendan Le, PEOPLE, 4 July 2026

Definition of secretive

Adjective

Ossant describes the collection as combining sensual tailoring with fluid proportions and restrained transparency, creating an understated confidence that has become synonymous with Vaccarello's creative direction.

— Laia Farran Graves, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026
The joyous if relatively restrained gathering was the culmination of the riotous nationwide celebrations that had broken out on the evening of April 12, when the results of the parliamentary elections came in.

— Gordon F. Sander, The New York Review of Books, 4 July 2026

Definition of restrained

Adjective

Imperial Street was eerily quiet on a recent Tuesday afternoon in the Arts District.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
Some combination of LeBron’s first move, the growth of Twitter and the development of morning sports talk shows desperate for conversation fodder helped the NBA turn the quietest sports month into a free agency frenzy.

— Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 8 July 2026

Definition of quiet

Adjective

These makers are much more reticent about the risks of blurring the once fine line between browsing sites and asking a large language model a question or instructing it to take potentially sensitive actions.

— Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 30 June 2026
While Haldane has supported the principle, ex-Goldman Sachs economist Jim O’Neill is more reticent.

— Philip Aldrick, Fortune, 28 June 2026

Definition of reticent

Browse Nearby Words

closely

closemouthed

closeness

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Closemouthed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/closemouthed. Accessed 12 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of closemouthed

adjective

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