closeted 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of closetednext
as in hidden

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Dissimilar Words

closeted

2 of 2

verb

past tense of closet
as in housed
to close or shut in by or as if by barriers he closeted himself in his study, vowing not to emerge until he had finished the term paper

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 closeted
Adjective
Kiyoko has evolved from a closeted Disney Channel star to an artist that sells out global tours and has released three albums, four extended plays, and 40 singles. — Kenneal Patterson, Vanity Fair, 19 June 2026 The actors spent time forging the kind of intimate charge that could be felt in wordless glances between their closeted characters. — Jen Yamato, Los Angeles Times, 17 June 2026
Verb
The steamy romance Heated Rivalry saw two gay men spend nearly a decade trying to define their relationship; although being closeted played a major role in their hesitation, the show also mined tension from the characters’ doubts about having an exclusive partnership. — Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 8 Apr. 2026 Morrissey’s character must confront his own homophobia and transphobia as Cumming forms a friendship with one of his sons, who is closeted. — Ellise Shafer, Variety, 25 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for closeted
Recent Examples of Synonyms for closeted
  1. hidden
  2. housed
  3. repressed
  4. confined
  5. personal
  6. encased
  7. concealed
  8. surrounded
Adjective
  • Everyone took the Meta keyword tag seriously and the practice of utilizing ‘white text on a white background’ to hide hidden keywords was a legitimate tactic that webmasters would use to include keywords in their website for search engine crawlers.
    — Alan Bradley, ArsTechnica, 7 Aug. 2026
  • The 5-star LSU commitment answered 11 questions below ranging from extending Stephenson’s NFL legacy to his hidden talent.
    — Jack Leo, AJC.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of hidden
Verb
  • Modi would be housed in a specific section of Arthur Road Jail and would have access to specialist treatment, Indian authorities said, including care from a private doctor or mental health expert of his choice.
    — Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 9 Aug. 2026
  • This is a classic game reimagined, with glossy resin tiles housed in a calfskin case that’s almost too beautiful to tuck away in your bag.
    — Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of housed
Adjective
  • Nordic noir suggests the presence of violence and hatred beneath the tranquillity and order of the Scandinavian welfare state, just as Southern noir peels back hospitality and charm to reveal repressed family secrets and moral decay.
    — Peter C. Baker, New Yorker, 5 Aug. 2026
  • In fact, this is where our motivations become personal and perhaps even slightly irritating, especially if repressed emotions or sensitivities rise to the surface.
    — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of repressed
Verb
  • Yet many still fail to reach their full potential because the directors are insufficiently engaged, inadequately challenged or possibly confined to narrow definitions of their role.
    — James Langabeer, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
  • The hot and windy trend will not be confined to eastern Washington.
    — Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of confined
Adjective
  • The Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act means the court cannot order Meta to request children to submit personal data or be passively tracked online, even for age verification purposes.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Some travel essentials are simply non-negotiable, from a blackout eye mask for sleeping on the plane to a personal safety alarm for peace of mind.
    — Hayley Domin, Travel + Leisure, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of personal
Verb
  • To ensure the integrity of the mold, only high-quality clay is used and then encased in steel sleeves designed to withstand extreme pressure.
    — Philipp Jenne, Fortune, 30 July 2026
  • The eight-story building is stylish, with a red brick facade encased in glass and steel.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 July 2026
Definition of encased
Adjective
  • In another instance, investigators identified a gray button on a test-taker's shirt as a concealed camera.
    — Ivan Taylor, CBS News, 25 June 2026
  • Kentucky lawmakers will likely let our columnist Joe Gerth down again by overriding the veto of a bill that would allow 18-, 19- and 20-year-olds to carry concealed guns.
    — Ray Padilla, Louisville Courier Journal, 10 Apr. 2026
Definition of concealed
Verb
  • While Pittsburgh may be surrounded by nature, much of it is not natural, often due to years of industrial activity.
    — Ricky Sayer, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Cast your line into the river, which is surrounded by stunning mountain views, and get a taste of the serenity and challenge of fly fishing.
    — Condé Nast Traveler, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of surrounded

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Cite this Entry

“Closeted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/closeted. Accessed 9 Aug. 2026.

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