as in hidden
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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
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Recent Examples of closeted
Arushi Jacob, Variety, 2 Apr. 2026
In the show, breakout stars Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams play closeted rival hockey players who keep their romance a secret.
—Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 1 Apr. 2026
Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 23 Sep. 2025
Dale, who was closeted at the time of his death, leaves behind notes stashed inside his treasured first-edition books hinting that his wife (Jeanne Tripplehorn) may have had something to do with his ostensible suicide.
—Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for closeted
Adjective
Meanwhile, the return of Marius (Sule Thelwell), the boys’ fourth roommate and Q’s secret closeted ex-fling, throws a wrench in Kitty’s plans and Q’s romance with his boyfriend Jin (Joshua Hyunho Lee).
—Arushi Jacob, Variety, 2 Apr. 2026
In the show, breakout stars Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams play closeted rival hockey players who keep their romance a secret.
—Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 1 Apr. 2026
Verb
Years later, Aaron, a studio employee who also helped closeted gay actors, is ready to come forward and share what really happened to Xavier.
—Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 23 Sep. 2025
Dale, who was closeted at the time of his death, leaves behind notes stashed inside his treasured first-edition books hinting that his wife (Jeanne Tripplehorn) may have had something to do with his ostensible suicide.
—Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for closeted
Recent Examples of Synonyms for closeted
Adjective
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Plus, its hidden side pockets can stash cords, bobby pins and backup lip balm.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
4 May 2026
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These climate solutions currently remain hidden in plain sight.—
Paige Stein,
Hartford Courant,
4 May 2026
Verb
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Prevention must be a priority, helping families stay housed through rental assistance, early intervention and support services.—
Lucas Robinson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 May 2026
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Rooms are housed in separate Key West style cottages and the sister hotel, Marquesa 414, is across the street and up half a block in a newer building.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 May 2026
Adjective
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The film explores a teenager’s struggles in 1998 alongside his mother’s repressed trauma from the 1948 Jeju April 3 Uprising.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
27 Apr. 2026
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Fuqua’s focus is on the music, with songwriting, video production and choreography scenes, and full-length live performances tackled with staggering precision by Jaafar Jackson, who also sensitively delivers Michael’s repressed anguish in confrontational scenes with his father.—
Katie Walsh,
Twin Cities,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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With help from some doctor errors (won't bore you with the long story), Joey was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy and does not walk or talk and is confined to a wheelchair.—
Joe Kinsey OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
6 May 2026
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Sailing near Africa's Atlantic Coast is a cruise ship where everyone onboard is confined to their cabins under quarantine.—
Jeff Wagner,
CBS News,
6 May 2026
Adjective
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Venus in your 5th House pulls you toward personal expression instead.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
4 May 2026
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For Robinson, that task amounts to the construction of a personal religion, part pantheistic, part Christian.—
James Wood,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
Verb
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Glass walls overlook an atmospheric inner garden of pines, a willow and a cherry tree, encased in tall cedar fences.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 May 2026
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This treat is just the right size — a huge, juicy strawberry encased in red bean paste and then an outer shell of mochi.—
John Metcalfe,
Mercury News,
7 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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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
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Watch it for its skin-deep enticement, its powerful visual devices, but also its concealed malignancy.—
Sally Jenkins,
The Atlantic,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
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They’ll be surrounded by a fascinating array of co-nominees.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
2 May 2026
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His night ended with him appropriately surrounded in the locker room by teammates who were bleating like goats.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
2 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Closeted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/closeted. Accessed 9 May. 2026.
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