Synonyms of private

private

adjective

ˈprī-vət 

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

• confidential
• secret
• personal
• undisclosed
• intimate
• classified
• esoteric
• nonpublic
• hidden
• inside
• clandestine
• restricted
• undercover
• privy
• behind-the-scenes
• concealed
• hush-hush
• hushed
• covert
• top secret
• surreptitious
• underground
• unadvertised
• collusive
• silent
• closet
• conspiratorial
• unmentioned
• untold
• unsaid
• unannounced
• furtive
• closeted
• sneak
• stealthy
• repressed
• sneaky
• suppressed
• occult
• underhanded
• stifled
• underhand
• silenced
• backstage
• offscreen
• hugger-mugger
• offstage
• sneaking

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• public
• open
• common
• broadcast
• general
• publicized
• advertised
• popular
• aired
• current
• proclaimed
• published
• declared
• reported
• professed
• disclosed
• vulgar
• announced
• widespread
• prevailing
• well-known
• heralded
• communal
• blazed
• prevalent
• shared
• rife
• divulged
• promulgated
• enunciated
• spotlighted

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

• clandestine
• undercover
• underground
• covert
• sneak
• secret
• surreptitious
• stealth
• sneaking
• confidential
• furtive
• behind-the-scenes
• undisclosed
• privy
• stealthy
• hole-and-corner
• sneaky
• underhanded
• hush-hush
• underhand
• backstairs
• closed-door
• restricted
• off-the-record
• hidden
• off-the-books
• classified
• hugger-mugger
• secreted
• top secret
• subterranean
• concealed
• back-channel
• unadvertised
• unexposed

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• public
• open
• overt
• avowed
• acknowledged
• straightforward
• unrestricted
• unclassified
• clear
• obvious
• evident
• plain
• manifest
• undisguised
• unconcealed
• aboveboard
• patent

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

• personal
• personalized
• subjective
• individual
• individualized
• separate
• unique
• singular
• particular
• patented
• privy
• idiomatic
• intimate
• distinctive
• peculiar
• independent
• special
• characteristic
• specific
• identifying
• idiosyncratic
• specialized
• custom
• express
• customized
• especial
• self-sufficient
• nonconformist
• self-directed

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• public
• general
• popular
• universal
• generic
• broad
• widespread
• shared
• normal
• prevalent
• regular
• common
• typical
• prevailing

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of private

The tsunami of public and private debt as well as the competition for investor demand have put upward pressure on yields, which adds to interest costs and the federal deficit. — Jason Ma, Fortune, 9 Aug. 2026

Debris from Ukrainian drones also fell on two enterprises and a private home in the Russian city of Novorossiysk, mayor Andrey Kravchenko said on Sunday. — ABC News, 9 Aug. 2026

In the Sacred Relics Room, visitors can view the Prophet Muhammad’s cloak and sword, while the Harem is located the sultan's private quarters. — Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Aug. 2026

Some users skip ads, but most public and private measures suggest that the vast majority of listeners catch at least some of them. — Max Tani, semafor.com, 9 Aug. 2026

Phrases Containing private

• in private
• private detective
• private eye
• private investigator