private

adjective

ˈprī-vət How to pronounce private (audio)
Definition of privatenext
1
as in confidential
not known or meant to be known by the general populace that he is planning to retire is private information until he makes a public announcement

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in clandestine
undertaken or done so as to escape being observed or known by others a private investigation of the organization's activities

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in personal
of, relating to, or belonging to a single person club lockers in which private property may be stored

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 private Early today, the Pisces Moon may stir private doubts or behind-the-scenes frustration as Venus highlights work and wellness . — Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 2 Aug. 2026 Economists polled by FactSet expect the ADP report to show private-sector job additions of 80,000 in July. — Zev Fima,kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 2 Aug. 2026 Steimle says agencies and private companies across Europe, the United States and Japan are developing competing capture technologies and mission architectures. — Alan Bradley, Space.com, 2 Aug. 2026 Both officials spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive private discussions. — Lisa Mascaro, Fortune, 2 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for private
Recent Examples of Synonyms for private
  1. confidential
  2. clandestine
  3. personal
  4. secret
  5. undercover
  6. personalized
  7. underground
  8. subjective
Adjective
  • Fred Tsao, senior policy counsel at the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, said the administration’s initiative to fight election fraud does not justify the collection of confidential voter information.
    — Allison Kiehl, Chicago Tribune, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Crucially, privacy is a major concern, as AI chats are typically not confidential and can be accessed or used by developers.
    — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of confidential
Adjective
  • Throughout the previous four years, Russia has, for example, sent drones and clandestine operatives to disrupt European defense production facilities, military bases, and transport infrastructure.
    — Alexander Gabuev, Foreign Affairs, 31 July 2026
  • In the past, drug traffickers approached the community seeking to build a clandestine airstrip inside their territory.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 23 July 2026
Definition of clandestine
Adjective
  • The article emphasizes that leaders must prioritize organizational interventions, such as de-emphasizing long hours and offering clinical sleep support like CBT-I, rather than just personal solutions.
    — Mena Mirhom, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Engle then diverted the money to personal purchases, including a yacht, vehicles, jewelry, and other luxury items, authorities said.
    — Doug Myers, CBS News, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of personal
Adjective
  • There is no current information about Pankow returning to Outer Banks next season, and the show probably wouldn’t have blown a secret cameo in a trailer.
    — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 29 July 2026
  • Kelce and Swift tied the knot in a super secret ceremony at Madison Square Garden on July 3.
    — Natasha Dye, PEOPLE, 29 July 2026
Definition of secret
Adjective
  • Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department officer Seth Elliott used confidential police databases to let a drug dealer know about undercover police who were trying to buy drugs, court documents allege.
    — Julia Coin Updated July 30, Charlotte Observer, 30 July 2026
  • Pagnoni was actually communicating with an undercover detective from the Camden County Prosecutor's Office High Tech Crimes Unit.
    — CBS News Philadelphia Staff, CBS News, 30 July 2026
Definition of undercover
Adjective
  • This strategy transforms loyalty from a simple currency to a source of distinctive, personalized experiences, making trips more memorable for members.
    — Jeff Fromm, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Every table got a personalized storytelling moment with each course.
    — Katie Nanton, Travel + Leisure, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of personalized
Adjective
  • The $20 million capital improvement construction project included full demolition and reconstruction of the base’s aging tarmac and new underground fire-retardant reloading bays.
    — Regina Elling, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 July 2026
  • Experts say the Teesta River basin, where the hydropower project is being built, lies in a seismically active region marked by young, fragile rock formations riddled with fractures and underground pockets that can trap ancient gases.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 21 July 2026
Definition of underground
Adjective
  • These steps reduce subjective bias and improve the quality of talent decisions across an organization.
    — Sherry Martin, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026
  • Instead of relying on subjective signals—who stayed late or who was most visible in the office—leaders have to articulate exactly where someone is (or isn’t) meeting expectations.
    — Kristin Stoller, Fortune, 27 July 2026
Definition of subjective

Phrases Containing private

Browse Nearby Words

privacy
private
private detective
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Private.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/private. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on private

Nglish: Translation of private for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about private

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

How long is a jiffy?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
asap street sign
Figure Out These Acronyms ASAP You don't have to be a NASA engineer to get these...
See All