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

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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

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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

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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 On Saturday, July 25, Emma Roberts married actor Cody John at a private residence in Idaho. — Shelby Wax, Vogue, 26 July 2026 There is also information on the 1979 ballot measure that leased 77 acres of park land to a private developer who built the North County Fair shopping mall, which opened in 1986. — Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 July 2026 The health of the banking system requires that myriad private actors decide which financial institutions do and do not survive. — John Tamny, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026 Better yet, save any sensitive tasks for a more private setting, like your hotel room. — Stefanie Waldek, Travel + Leisure, 26 July 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
  • The amendment’s supporters argued that political interference in tax enforcement should carry penalties comparable to those proposed for unlawfully disclosing confidential taxpayer information.
    — Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 25 July 2026
  • However, that plan seems to have hit a snag, as days before the Codex Micro appeared, Apple sued OpenAI, accusing it of stealing trade secrets to build its hardware and of poaching ex-Apple staff for confidential product details.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 25 July 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
  • Callimacus uses an orchestra of AI agents to understand each visitor’s intent and compose a personalized experience in real time, integrating traditional digital and e-commerce systems.
    — Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 27 July 2026
  • Then comes the Grand Bal, a personalized menu that targets the hair, face, hands, and feet for the ultimate pre-event prep.
    — Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 27 July 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

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privacy
private
private detective
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Cite this Entry

“Private.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/private. Accessed 2 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on private

Nglish: Translation of private for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about private

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