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

Ultimately, both experts agreed that public-private partnerships and emerging technology like AI are countries’ best bets at enabling affordable, high-quality healthcare for its populace. — Angelica Ang, Fortune, 6 Nov. 2026

Listeners responded to that intimacy, that sense of eavesdropping on private testimony. — Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 6 Nov. 2026

Tesla exit The Tesla sale closes another highly profitable bet for Scottish Mortgage, which invests globally in a mix of public and private high-growth companies, typically with a longer-term investment view. — Hugh Leask, CNBC, 6 Nov. 2026

South International Series Festival will launch a new investment forum in Cádiz in 2027, bringing audiovisual producers and companies together with private financiers, Womack Group announced during this year’s edition. — Emiliano De Pablos, Variety, 6 Nov. 2026

Phrases Containing private

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