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

Many important details remain unclear, including who will cover necessary investments, the identity of the private operator and how America’s stake in the company breaks down. — Collin Binkley, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2026

Her social media pages said that at her request, a small private service would be held for immediate family. — Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 30 Aug. 2026

Critically, the case was brought by one private party and not as a class action, and the judgment was for $6 million, so the floodgates have opened for similar suits by anyone, and the flood has started. — Schuyler Moore, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026

One day, during my visit, Cole used a step stool to access a small cubbyhole in a high corner of a bedroom wall—a sort of illogical nook that seemed preordained to house some private, upsetting object. — Laura Preston, New Yorker, 30 Aug. 2026

Phrases Containing private

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