as in secretly
in a manner intended to prevent knowledge or awareness by others
she confided to me privately that she was considering divorce
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Recent Examples of privately
Uhlaender has even said that some Canadian athletes are privately supporting her in this battle.
—
Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 24 Jan. 2026
Their bold bid to subpoena Wiles also parallels their effort to seek similar testimony from Rubio, who as Florida’s senator privately met with Rivera, Nuhfer and Gorrin at a hotel in Washington in 2017.
—Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 24 Jan. 2026
The council met privately earlier Wednesday.
—Arkansas Online, 23 Jan. 2026
As just 80 were produced, the SA Aperta was offered privately by invitation only to a very select band of existing Ferrari customers.
—New Atlas, 23 Jan. 2026
There is a part of you that feels the need, and a part of you that has learned to manage it privately.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
Not long after that exchange, while discussing how to impound Huffman’s truck, the two game wardens privately mention how the bust will help boost their careers as game wardens.
—Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 22 Jan. 2026
The land remains privately owned and on the tax rolls, continuing to generate revenue for schools, infrastructure, and essential public services.
—Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Jan. 2026
The $400 million ballroom is being privately financed.
—Jacob Rosen, CBS News, 22 Jan. 2026
Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 24 Jan. 2026
Their bold bid to subpoena Wiles also parallels their effort to seek similar testimony from Rubio, who as Florida’s senator privately met with Rivera, Nuhfer and Gorrin at a hotel in Washington in 2017.
—Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 24 Jan. 2026
The council met privately earlier Wednesday.
—Arkansas Online, 23 Jan. 2026
As just 80 were produced, the SA Aperta was offered privately by invitation only to a very select band of existing Ferrari customers.
—New Atlas, 23 Jan. 2026
There is a part of you that feels the need, and a part of you that has learned to manage it privately.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
Not long after that exchange, while discussing how to impound Huffman’s truck, the two game wardens privately mention how the bust will help boost their careers as game wardens.
—Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 22 Jan. 2026
The land remains privately owned and on the tax rolls, continuing to generate revenue for schools, infrastructure, and essential public services.
—Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Jan. 2026
The $400 million ballroom is being privately financed.
—Jacob Rosen, CBS News, 22 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for privately
Adverb
-
The lesson isn't that failure should be celebrated or that every flop is secretly brilliant.—
Tim Bajarin,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
-
In 2017, Mehlhorn secretly helped fund a deceptive social-media botnet campaign, which mimicked foreign-interference tactics and was designed to hurt a Republican Senate candidate.—
Michael Scherer,
The Atlantic,
22 Jan. 2026
Adverb
-
Zeoli noted that when working confidentially with a business, there must be patience and discretion used.—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Zepto Indian quick-commerce startup Zepto has confidentially filed for an initial public offering, according to a public notice issued by the company on Sunday.—
Priyanka Salve,
CNBC,
29 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Privately.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/privately. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.
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