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
The firm’s team includes analysts from leading tech private equity firms, engineers, operating partners – former technology CEOs and COOs.
—
Kenneth Squire, CNBC, 19 Apr. 2025
After that time, the program recognized private citizens who flew on Virgin Galactic's Unity spacecraft, Blue Origin's New Shepard, and SpaceX's orbital Crew Dragon vehicle.
—ArsTechnica, 18 Apr. 2025
Several states have successfully implemented school choice programs that give parents the ability to send their children to different public, private, or charter schools.
—Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Apr. 2025
Unlike traditional private equity vehicles, STRUX accepts daily subscriptions and provides quarterly liquidity.
—Garth Friesen, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for private
Kenneth Squire, CNBC, 19 Apr. 2025
After that time, the program recognized private citizens who flew on Virgin Galactic's Unity spacecraft, Blue Origin's New Shepard, and SpaceX's orbital Crew Dragon vehicle.
—ArsTechnica, 18 Apr. 2025
Several states have successfully implemented school choice programs that give parents the ability to send their children to different public, private, or charter schools.
—Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Apr. 2025
Unlike traditional private equity vehicles, STRUX accepts daily subscriptions and provides quarterly liquidity.
—Garth Friesen, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for private
Recent Examples of Synonyms for private
Adjective
-
The White House’s claims about Abrego Garcia’s gang affiliation are based mostly on one confidential tip.—
Caroline Vakil,
The Hill,
23 Apr. 2025
-
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS; all calls are kept confidential.—
Nicholas Williams,
New York Daily News,
22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
He was allegedly held in a clandestine detention site and tortured by intelligence agents.—
Antonio Maria Delgado,
Miami Herald,
30 Apr. 2025
-
Guests can order craft cocktails at the circular bar, and for those who indulge, there’s a small, clandestine cigar room just off the entrance.—
John Wogan,
Travel + Leisure,
23 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
With persistence and technical grit, Kairys began producing illustrations that were not only accurate and expressive but deeply personal.—
Kaitlyn Gomez,
USA Today,
1 May 2025
-
This is especially true for those of you willing to get more vulnerable in the love and personal relationships department.—
Meghan Rose,
Glamour,
1 May 2025
Adjective
-
For the privilege of associating with the Trumps, the startup would have to make, in effect, a secret multimillion dollar payment to World Liberty.—
Eric Lipton,
New York Times,
29 Apr. 2025
-
Amazing tales of dead spacecraft that came back to life Related: SpaceX launches secret US spy satellite on 19th anniversary of company's 1st-ever liftoff (video, photos) The HALO Trust has been working in Cambodia since the 1990s, helping to scour hundreds of square miles of contaminated land.—
Tereza Pultarova,
Space.com,
29 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Former Attorney General Merrick Garland said in October that the Justice Department foiled the plot as the men bought the rifles from an undercover FBI employee.—
Krystal Nurse,
USA Today,
18 Apr. 2025
-
Kasie discovers that the Poet used jeweler Gemma Wood (Michelle Lukes) as a go-between to broker deals with anonymous clients, so Torres goes undercover as the man himself since news of his death hasn't left NCIS HQ.—
Sara Netzley,
EW.com,
15 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Even the price tag of the new Mount Weather work is confidential, but contracting details suggest workers will must be skilled in both underground construction and HVAC equipment, including air handlers.—
Trevor Hughes,
USA Today,
1 May 2025
-
Her husband escaped from the camp, and a priest hid him in a church, part of an underground movement of South Vietnamese people.—
Olivia B. Waxman,
Time,
30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Whatever the vocabulary, this new breed of firm used subjective concepts to drive their business processes.—
Steve Denning,
Forbes.com,
20 Apr. 2025
-
At its roots, the Ballon d’Or is a subjective award.—
Anantaajith Raghuraman,
New York Times,
12 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
After the unexpected death of the pope, Cardinal Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes) is tasked with running the covert process of choosing a new leader.—
Saman Shafiq,
USA Today,
22 Apr. 2025
-
Those documents gave curious readers more details about Cold War-era covert U.S. operations in other nations, but did not initially lend credence to long-circulating conspiracy theories about who killed JFK.—
Josh Funk and Haya Panjwani,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Private.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/private. Accessed 3 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share