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
While head coaches typically own their losses publicly and privately, Canales said losses like the one to the Saints stick with him a bit more because of the offensive performance as the unit’s primary play-caller.
—
Charlotte Observer, 10 Nov. 2025
The pair will spend some time bonding privately in the Giraffe Building before zoo visitors will have an opportunity to see them in action in the African Plains Building.
—Erin Clack, PEOPLE, 9 Nov. 2025
We’re privately funded, and so is the National Women’s History Museum.
—Duante Beddingfield, Freep.com, 8 Nov. 2025
Obama, who spoke privately to Mamdani last weekend as well, called the mayoral-elect Tuesday night just hours after his victory became official.
—Chris Sommerfeldt, Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2025
Some two years later, Pelosi reportedly played a role privately and publicly in encouraging Biden to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race.
—NPR, 6 Nov. 2025
If a child becomes withdrawn, spends long hours chatting privately with a bot or repeats harmful ideas, step in early.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 5 Nov. 2025
The note came after seemingly now-former member Andy Morin suggested privately that the project ended.
—Matthew Strauss, Pitchfork, 5 Nov. 2025
Andrew is expected to move to the Sandringham Estate, which the royals privately own.
—Jack Royston, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
Charlotte Observer, 10 Nov. 2025
The pair will spend some time bonding privately in the Giraffe Building before zoo visitors will have an opportunity to see them in action in the African Plains Building.
—Erin Clack, PEOPLE, 9 Nov. 2025
We’re privately funded, and so is the National Women’s History Museum.
—Duante Beddingfield, Freep.com, 8 Nov. 2025
Obama, who spoke privately to Mamdani last weekend as well, called the mayoral-elect Tuesday night just hours after his victory became official.
—Chris Sommerfeldt, Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2025
Some two years later, Pelosi reportedly played a role privately and publicly in encouraging Biden to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race.
—NPR, 6 Nov. 2025
If a child becomes withdrawn, spends long hours chatting privately with a bot or repeats harmful ideas, step in early.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 5 Nov. 2025
The note came after seemingly now-former member Andy Morin suggested privately that the project ended.
—Matthew Strauss, Pitchfork, 5 Nov. 2025
Andrew is expected to move to the Sandringham Estate, which the royals privately own.
—Jack Royston, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for privately
Adverb
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The character was reimagined in the 2025 adaptation as the bride-to-be of Frankenstein's younger brother (for whom the scientist secretly harbors feelings).—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
8 Nov. 2025
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Her upcoming book is a rallying cry for high-achieving women who appear unstoppable but secretly feel stuck.—
Maria Williams,
USA Today,
7 Nov. 2025
Adverb
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That might serve as an incentive for AI companies to stop sharing their most advanced models, instead running them confidentially, in a bid to capture as much of their upside as possible.—
Billy Perrigo,
Time,
28 Oct. 2025
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The two sides settled confidentially last year and Joyride emerged from bankruptcy.—
Justin Wingerter,
Denver Post,
16 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Privately.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/privately. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.
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