1
as in silent
given to keeping one's activities hidden from public observation or knowledge
he remained closemouthed about their activities
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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
-
The federal lawsuit is also silent on that matter.—
Patricia Gallagher Newberry,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
31 Jan. 2026
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Spencer Pratt says many in Hollywood privately support his criticism of Los Angeles leadership, but fear keeps them silent.—
Danielle Minnetian,
FOXNews.com,
31 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Add to reserved drippings in skillet; cook over medium-high until browned on two sides, about 2 minutes per side.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
31 Jan. 2026
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Melbourne Park does have three smaller show courts with capacities between 3,000 and 5,000 and no reserved seating.—
Lev Akabas,
Sportico.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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In recent years, Rivkin has formed a close bond with Olga Smirnova, a clinical social worker who visits him weekly through a home-visit program run by Maimonides Medical Center.—
Hannah Kliger,
CBS News,
28 Jan. 2026
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Meanwhile, Mémoires Colorées was born out of Patrick Frey’s (who currently helms Pierre Frey) close friendship with Belgian artist and paper sculptor Isabelle de Borchgrave.—
Stephanie Sporn,
Vogue,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Okay, there's trying something new and then there's just being dumb.—
Samantha Highfill,
Entertainment Weekly,
12 Jan. 2026
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Why portray Dorothy as a doe-eyed ding-a-ling; as not just naive but dumb?—
Lili Anolik,
Vanity Fair,
12 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The most famous person on the wall was Billy Walters, a former car salesman whose highly secretive tactics netted him hundreds of millions of dollars, making him, by some accounts, the most successful bettor in sports history.—
Jasper Craven,
Harpers Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
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The precise origins of solar flares, however, have been secretive.—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Rooms are furnished comfortably in the expected Southwestern decor, but avoid overdoing it thanks to restrained, contemporary hands.—
Asonta Benetti,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Jan. 2026
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That restrained use of color and geometry feels emblematic of Milan, a city that prizes substance over flash.—
Laura Itzkowitz,
AFAR Media,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Below are five actions that may seem quiet but can significantly increase your chances of promotion in the first quarter, along with how to put them into practice.—
Sho Dewan,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
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The cold, quiet pattern continues Tuesday in Minnesota.—
Joseph Dames,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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That Bamford might be a bit reticent to share more about her life, despite the open nature of her stand-up act, is understandable, but any nerves are soon put way at ease.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
29 Jan. 2026
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Perhaps reflecting the stakes, GOP staff and campaign aides were reticent Monday to talk about the issue at all.—
Bill Barrow,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Closemouthed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/closemouthed. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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