PRIVATELY Synonyms: 28 Similar and Opposite Words

privately

adverb

Definition of privately

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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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 privately Over the previous few decades, this sort of private business had — quite privately — taken over the American business world. — Greg Rosalsky, NPR, 14 Sep. 2026 Stroud, offensive coordinator Nick Caley, the offensive line, the receivers and running backs, even the front office — were publicly and privately accountable for their part in the team falling short. — Jourdan Rodrigue, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026 Carter said Buzbee had sent him two demand letters in early November 2024 seeking money to resolve the allegations privately. — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 11 Sep. 2026 The Seahawks' quarterback just limped to the blue tent where medical personnel can privately evaluate players' injuries. — Andrew Greif, NBC news, 10 Sep. 2026 The star was also consistent in maintaining her iconic image – even privately. — Gayle King, CBS News, 10 Sep. 2026 Donofry was among the roughly 450 delegates from battleground states Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, along with his home state of Ohio, whom Vance addressed privately at a Thursday morning breakfast. — ABC News, 10 Sep. 2026 But according to Dietrich’s daughter Maria Riva, whose 1992 biography of her mother Lim liberally quotes from, Dietrich privately did not hold Wong in the highest esteem. — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Sep. 2026 Harvey did not complain — publicly or privately, by all accounts — about the shoulder in 2025. — Luca Evans, Denver Post, 9 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for privately

Adverb

If Beijing restrains Chinese developers while believing American labs are secretly advancing, China has every reason to defect.

— Shlomit Wagman, Fortune, 15 Sep. 2026
Lady Gaga and her fiancé, Michael Polansky, secretly welcomed their first child in September 2026.

— Allison DeGrushe, StyleCaster, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of secretly

Adverb

OpenAI has confidentially filed its IPO prospectus, but has been under fire in recent months after its models escaped containment, accessed the open internet and breached open-source developer platform Hugging Face.

— Ashley Capoot,Kate Rooney, CNBC, 14 Sep. 2026
The company confidentially filed for a potential IPO in June.

— Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 14 Sep. 2026