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 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 Helen sends him on an off-the-books job to the London Mother House to use his mind-probing powers on Jasper (William Fichtner), a powerful vampire with a personal vendetta against the Talamasca. — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 25 Oct. 2025 Helen wants him for an off-the-books quest to find a possibly mythical object called the Seven Five Two, and an even more off-the-books quest to find answers about a formative childhood trauma involving the Talamasca. — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 24 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for off-the-books

Recent Examples of Synonyms for off-the-books

Adjective

Defense attorney Russell Wilson’s opening statements centered on Roach’s decision to close the overflow courtroom during the majority of the trial and multiple off-the-record proceedings that occurred, Star-Telegram media partner WFAA-TV reported.

— Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Aug. 2026
Anthony’s lawyers also accuse prosecutors of breaking an off-the-record agreement about character evidence and other alleged acts unrelated to the murder charge.

— Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of off-the-record

Adjective

The clandestine manner in which LG monitors were installing ad-pushing software onto third-party devices, however, remains seriously concerning.

— Scharon Harding, ArsTechnica, 24 Aug. 2026
The clandestine transits have changed the game for the Middle Eastern oil industry.

— David Goldman, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of clandestine

Adjective

In early April 2007, I was invited to a surreptitious dinner with the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s music director Esa-Pekka Salonen and the orchestra’s president, Deborah Borda.

— Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 12 Aug. 2026
The surreptitious approach consists of asking AI to suggest ways to bypass the myriad restrictions.

— Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026

Definition of surreptitious

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

Psyops can be overt or covert, but they’re designed with a clear objective, said Jan Goldman, a professor of intelligence and security studies at The Citadel who has also worked on psyops.

— Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026
In a recent presentation, OpenAI researchers described how AI agents used a covert message board to plan their next moves.

— Alex Heath, Time, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of covert

Adjective

Khan’s lawyers and family have also accused the government of defying a court order that required him to be examined at the private Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026
On almost 4 acres, the lot includes a private dock and mooring.

— The Week US, TheWeek, 23 Aug. 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 29 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of off-the-books

adjective

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