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
-
Misael eating meat alone, cutting up pieces with an enormous knife while barely lit by the flames in front of him, and, sporadically, almost-silent lightning bursts in the distant background.—
Vadim Rizov,
IndieWire,
16 May 2026
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My cancer was so silent that two gynecologists hadn’t considered it as a possible diagnosis, and at least one radiologist had entirely missed my tumor—as wide as a peach and as long as my hand.—
Nami Mun,
The Atlantic,
16 May 2026
Adjective
-
Sprinkle with the reserved hazelnuts and the parsley, and drizzle with the pul biber oil.—
The Week UK,
TheWeek,
16 May 2026
-
The audiences there were more reserved and showed their appreciation at the end.—
Zama Magudulela,
Travel + Leisure,
15 May 2026
Adjective
-
Sources close to Canvot, speaking anonymously to protect relationships, have told The Athletic that the message from Glasner after that error was simple.—
Matt Woosnam,
New York Times,
13 May 2026
-
López was one of the fiercest critics of then-Mayor Fúnez, a supporter of the mine and close ally of Honduras’ former president, Xiomara Castro.—
Marlon González,
Los Angeles Times,
13 May 2026
Adjective
-
These dumb little kids were freaking bored.—
Emma Seiwell,
New York Daily News,
8 May 2026
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The series will now be hosted by British comedian Jack Whitehall and the network has lined up a phalanx of celebrities aiming not to be the dumbest in the country.—
Peter White,
Deadline,
7 May 2026
Adjective
-
Possible sharing of nuclear secrets The claim that North Korea was the likely recipient of the two reactors allegedly aboard the ship comes after the secretive totalitarian regime released images in December 2025 of its first nuclear submarine.—
Pau Mosquera,
CNN Money,
12 May 2026
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Some efforts to protect water resources have had limited success, as backlash over secretive deals allowing data center developments without public notice increases.—
Ashley Belanger,
ArsTechnica,
11 May 2026
Adjective
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Puerto Rican rum production emphasizes column distillation and filtration, yielding a cleaner, lighter, and more restrained profile than many heavier Caribbean styles.—
Joseph V Micallef,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2026
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It was described by critics as psychologically uneasy and emotionally claustrophobic, with Keough serving as the restrained emotional center of the film.—
Rhonda Richford,
Footwear News,
15 May 2026
Adjective
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The Yankees, who have scored eight runs over their losing streak, were otherwise quiet against Brandon Young and Baltimore’s bullpen, going 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position and stranding five runners.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
12 May 2026
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Treatment rooms are tucked into a quiet section of the hotel, and the menu covers the usual range—massages, facials, and body treatments aimed largely at travelers recovering from long flights or long days of sightseeing.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
12 May 2026
Adjective
-
The English have always been a reticent lot and the smartphone has probably made this worse.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 May 2026
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Allies of Brazil’s president in Congress said opposition governors, who are in charge of local police, are reticent about using funds from the initiative launched on Tuesday.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Closemouthed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/closemouthed. Accessed 18 May. 2026.
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