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

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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

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 Sophie Cunningham/transgender debate has no easy right or wrong // FIFA bows to pressure from Europe boycott, abandons private-equity plan // History suggests Miami Dolphins may be surprise team in ’26 // Cancel that intro. — Greg Cote august 16, Miami Herald, 16 Aug. 2026 The small and intimate wedding, which took place on Onassis’s private island, came as quite a surprise to the world, as the Greek shipping magnate had previously dated her sister, Lee Radziwell. — Freya Drohan, InStyle, 16 Aug. 2026 Dial up the charm by booking one of the ocean-facing rooms or suites; better yet, snag one with a balcony and private hot tub. — Zoe Baillargeon, Travel + Leisure, 16 Aug. 2026 The Moon conjoins Venus in Libra and your 12th House of Solitude, Spirituality, and Hidden Patterns, softening private emotions and making rest feel more restorative. — Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 16 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
  • People who hold more senior positions in the system, or who have access to confidential information, generally have tighter restrictions placed upon them, according to several sources familiar with the matter and open government announcements.
    — Sylvie Zhuang, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026
  • SpaceX has requested to keep the photos of the device, along with the user manual, confidential over the next 180 days.
    — Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of confidential
Adjective
  • In reality, the clandestine operation meant that, for a portion of time, the President’s real whereabouts were seemingly unknown to—and concealed from—the White House press pool.
    — Tiago Ventura, Time, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Mexican authorities have dismantled well over a thousand clandestine drug laboratories, seized enormous quantities of narcotics and fentanyl pills, arrested thousands of cartel operatives, and extradited major criminal figures to the United States.
    — Chris Shays, Hartford Courant, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of clandestine
Adjective
  • Both are a complete overhaul of their long-haul cabins, featuring seat heating, seat cooling and personal climate controls.
    — Edward Russell, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2026
  • The Fireplace Shangri-la room is your own personal retreat, complete with an oversized soaking tub (big enough for even a tall girl like myself to enjoy) and separate shower.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of personal
Adjective
  • The backstory Previously known as Little Munson Island, the island was once a secret retreat frequented by the likes of President Harry Truman.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Aug. 2026
  • The idea that casual audiences on TV — people who weren’t gamers willing to grind to 100 percent completion to unlock an esoteric, secret two-minute cutscene ending — was almost unthinkable.
    — Brian Welk, IndieWire, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of secret
Adjective
  • The victim eventually agreed to pay the $22,450 to an unkown man posing as an undercover law enforcement officer In the parking lot of a Marathon grocery store, according to the sheriff's office.
    — Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Barnes did not disclose the online platforms used for the operation, saying that withholding the information is necessary to protect undercover operations like Operation Cyber Shield in other jurisdictions.
    — Alula Alderson, Sacbee.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of undercover
Adjective
  • Fellows will receive personalized advising, mentorship, career development, advice on financial literacy, and community support throughout their time at Rice.
    — Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Recommended by Our Editors With the Apple Watch Series 11, Siri AI in the forthcoming watchOS 27 offers similarly personalized and contextual help, which makes sense, given Apple's partnership with Google to add capabilities to its AI software.
    — Andrew Gebhart, PC Magazine, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of personalized
Adjective
  • In July 2025, utility workers excavating trenches to expand an underground gas network in Peru's capital unearthed two pre-Incan tombs that were over 1,000 years old.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
  • These underground excursions are a park favorite, so make your reservations early.
    — Stephanie Vermillion, Travel + Leisure, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of underground
Adjective
  • The effects of magnesium supplementation on subjective anxiety and stress-a systematic review.
    — Sara Hoffman, Verywell Health, 11 Aug. 2026
  • One group got no special instructions, while the other was told to actively find moments of awe on their walk, seeking out novelty, tapping into wonder, and noticing the vastness of things, even in their own neighborhood—all subjective, of course.
    — Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 6 Aug. 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 20 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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