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
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Recent Examples of privately
But White House officials have privately grown frustrated with her performance, as Republican midterm strategists raise alarms about the political damage.
—
Michael Scherer, The Atlantic, 14 Feb. 2026
So the program is being funded entirely through donations, with $40,000 raised privately.
—Tara Molina, CBS News, 13 Feb. 2026
Claims total in the millions, and attorneys connected with the case said privately that the key activity going forward will involve various creditors trying to secure a position toward the front of the line for receiving whatever money is available.
—Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 12 Feb. 2026
Mayor Austin Bonta told the Post-Tribune that the stadium could be financed privately, and the Bears and state of Indiana are aware of the proposal and funding.
—Maya Wilkins, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
The bar itself remains privately owned.
—Michael Collins, USA Today, 11 Feb. 2026
Palestinians are not permitted to sell land privately to Israelis.
—Sam Metz, Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2026
However, it must be requested and paid for privately at a cost about $250.
—Ariana Hendrix, STAT, 10 Feb. 2026
In Chicago, owner Joe Mansueto committed last year to privately finance an $750 million soccer-specific stadium to open for the 2028 season.
—Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 10 Feb. 2026
Michael Scherer, The Atlantic, 14 Feb. 2026
So the program is being funded entirely through donations, with $40,000 raised privately.
—Tara Molina, CBS News, 13 Feb. 2026
Claims total in the millions, and attorneys connected with the case said privately that the key activity going forward will involve various creditors trying to secure a position toward the front of the line for receiving whatever money is available.
—Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 12 Feb. 2026
Mayor Austin Bonta told the Post-Tribune that the stadium could be financed privately, and the Bears and state of Indiana are aware of the proposal and funding.
—Maya Wilkins, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
The bar itself remains privately owned.
—Michael Collins, USA Today, 11 Feb. 2026
Palestinians are not permitted to sell land privately to Israelis.
—Sam Metz, Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2026
However, it must be requested and paid for privately at a cost about $250.
—Ariana Hendrix, STAT, 10 Feb. 2026
In Chicago, owner Joe Mansueto committed last year to privately finance an $750 million soccer-specific stadium to open for the 2028 season.
—Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 10 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for privately
Adverb
-
Other times, Claude made a different calculus, choosing to play along during the retraining while secretly preserving its original values.—
Gideon Lewis-Kraus,
New Yorker,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Vionic Uptown Loafers These loafers are the epitome of what Vionic does best—they’re polished, supportive, and secretly built for long days on your feet.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
Detainees have a constitutional right to speak confidentially with an attorney.—
Claudia Boyd-Barrett,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Jan. 2026
-
In April 2023, SeatGeek filed confidentially for an IPO, and even hired bankers for the offering a year later.—
Luisa Beltran,
Sportico.com,
23 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Privately.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/privately. Accessed 18 Feb. 2026.
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