1
as in silent
given to keeping one's activities hidden from public observation or knowledge
he remained closemouthed about their activities
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in reserved
tending not to speak frequently (as by habit or inclination)
encourage the closemouthed children to speak up and not be shy
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Recent Examples of closemouthed
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
Hutton’s gaptoothed smile replaced the closemouthed gaze and white eyeliner of Vogue models of the 1960s.
—Washington Post, 25 Dec. 2021
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
Led by Vice President Temer, whose cryptic, closemouthed demeanor has his rivals comparing him to a butler in a horror movie, the centrists anchoring Ms. Rousseff’s coalition broke away last week.
—Simon Romero, New York Times, 3 Apr. 2016
Tom Nolan, WSJ, 23 Dec. 2022
Hutton’s gaptoothed smile replaced the closemouthed gaze and white eyeliner of Vogue models of the 1960s.
—Washington Post, 25 Dec. 2021
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
Led by Vice President Temer, whose cryptic, closemouthed demeanor has his rivals comparing him to a butler in a horror movie, the centrists anchoring Ms. Rousseff’s coalition broke away last week.
—Simon Romero, New York Times, 3 Apr. 2016
Recent Examples of Synonyms for closemouthed
Adjective
-
Republican members also remained silent, with the exception of Chairman Charlie Geren of Fort Worth, who called for the vote.—
Jack Fink,
CBS News,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Behind bars, Jeffs ordered his followers to no longer marry or have children and later became increasingly silent, paving the way for Bateman to assert himself as his heir.—
Stephanie Nolasco,
FOXNews.com,
11 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Stir together 1/4 cup of the reserved cola mixture and remaining 1/4 cup bourbon in a small bowl, then brush evenly over warm cake.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
9 Apr. 2026
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Through Sapphire Reserve Experiences, cardholders receive special shopping perks and access to a reserved experience located on the second green, featuring premium seating, complimentary refreshments, private restrooms and more.—
Ryley Amond,
CNBC,
8 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Xi said China and Russia need to use closer and stronger strategic collaboration to defend the legitimate interests of both nations and safeguard the unity of Global South countries, the state broadcaster CCTV reported.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 Apr. 2026
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At the same time, the dispatcher works on alerting one of the 17 closest fire stations.—
Morgan Rynor,
CBS News,
15 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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As my colleague Zach Harper expertly pointed out Wednesday, the rule itself — mandating that any player eligible for a postseason award must play 65 games in a season — looks pretty dumb right now.—
Chris Branch,
New York Times,
10 Apr. 2026
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Looking back on his 27 years with the bank, Gentry said the timing, loopholes, tax strategies and negotiations that gave the business its acquisitive edge were not because of dumb luck.—
Chase Jordan
April 9,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
In the spring of 2017, Work inaugurated the secretive Project Maven and appointed Cukor its chief.—
Gideon Lewis-Kraus,
New Yorker,
15 Apr. 2026
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Proponents say these bills are a response to an industry that has been strikingly fast-moving and secretive, providing little opportunity for substantive public input.—
Ella Nilsen,
CNN Money,
12 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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In contrast, Ionic capitals, which are more restrained, currently grace the columns at the entrance of the White House.—
Kevin D. Murphy,
The Conversation,
10 Apr. 2026
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Some had pushed for a slightly more restrained proposal that would have given Democrats the upper hand in nine of the 11 House seats.—
Russell Berman,
The Atlantic,
9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Something in these quiet rooms is getting ready to happen.—
Anthony Lane,
New Yorker,
13 Apr. 2026
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Their world is upended when a new neighbor moves in across the street, bringing old secrets of the cul-de-sac to light and new deadly threats shatter the illusion of their quiet little neighborhood.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
13 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The league’s senior staff rock up at refs’ meetings occasionally to offer praise in private but are reticent to repeat their kind words publicly.—
Graham Scott,
New York Times,
10 Apr. 2026
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The once reticent Lopes also showed leadership qualities as early as 1976, when a throw by new Dodgers outfielder Dusty Baker had missed the cutoff man.—
Steve Henson,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Closemouthed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/closemouthed. Accessed 16 Apr. 2026.
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