OFF-THE-BOOKS Synonyms: 52 Similar and Opposite Words

off-the-books

adjective

Definition of off-the-books

as in off-the-record

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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 off-the-books Jeff Shell, the former president of Paramount Skydance, has resolved litigation with a gambler who accused him of leaking confidential company information and who sought $150 million for off-the-books crisis PR work. — Gene Maddaus, Variety, 11 June 2026 Polk estimates that the majority of gamblers who don’t have other sources of income, such as sponsorships or social media channels, will either fail to turn a profit under the new rules or begin playing in more off-the-books games. — Ryan Ermey, CNBC, 21 Apr. 2026 Another has an off-the-books wager against OpenAI, which is privately held. — Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 26 Feb. 2026 In 1985, Marty McFly (played by Lucas Hallauer) is a skateboarding high schooler who is accidentally sent back to 1955 in a time machine — ensconced in a DeLorean sports car — by nutty off-the-books scientist Doc Brown (David Josefsberg). — Rod Stafford Hagwood, Sun Sentinel, 5 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for off-the-books

Recent Examples of Synonyms for off-the-books

Adjective

In one of the company’s off-the-record labs, On executives showed how the foam was made — a process that drew on years of material science and biomechanical research.

— Stephen Garner, Footwear News, 15 Sep. 2026
There was an off-the-record discussion, then Patton’s clerk called the case.

— Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of off-the-record

Adjective

Across Greengrass’ three Bourne movies, the elite assassin turns against the clandestine institution that created him, determined to escape its grip and bring its covert operations to light.

— Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 10 Sep. 2026
Or that the Apollo moon landing in 1969 was staged, the video shot on some clandestine movie set.

— Susan Page, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of clandestine

Adjective

To unearth these surreptitious practices, Gamers Nexus partnered up with independent security researchers and Level1Techs.

— Frank Landymore, Futurism, 10 Sep. 2026
And in 1911 a disgruntled ex-Mormon hid a camera under his coat and snapped surreptitious photos of the temple’s interior in an unsuccessful attempt to blackmail the church.

— Brandon Griggs, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of surreptitious

Adjective

The growing fear in the community and rumors of undercover ICE agents in churches and church parking lots in other areas of the country has lead pastors to make major changes to their programming.

— Lauren Costantino September 19, Miami Herald, 19 Sep. 2026
Murphy’s gang weren’t really outlaws to begin with — he was imprisoned for defending his daughter from some undercover cops, while Singh (Avi Nash) was arrested for his associations with socialism.

— Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of undercover

Adjective

Pakistan has been an important back-channel player in reaching Iran, and the positive tone of its comments eased oil markets a bit.

— Brian Sullivan, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
The real deals are locked in over late-night dinners, back-channel texts and quiet handshakes months in advance.

— Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of back-channel

Adjective

Part thriller, part dark romantic comedy, Smokeshow centers on a covert operative, Rory (Fahy), who becomes entangled with her target, the charming and devastatingly earnest Nolan.

— Matt Grobar, Deadline, 17 Sep. 2026
Regardless of their opinion about Denmark, Greenlanders are becoming aware of, and are unnerved by, this semi-covert, sometimes glaringly obvious American pressure.

— Anne Applebaum, The Atlantic, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of covert

Adjective

Taurus April 20 – May 20 Something private may finally make more sense to you.

— Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 19 Sep. 2026
Backstory This historic property was originally a private homestead that transitioned into a store in the late 1700s and finally turned into a guest house in the 20th century.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of private

Browse Nearby Words

off the bat

off-the-books

off-the-cuff

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“Off-the-books.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/off-the-books. Accessed 24 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of off-the-books

adjective

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