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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of private
On July 12, 2020, the actress — known for her roles in many beloved films and TV shows throughout the '80s and '90s like For Love and Honor, Twins, Jerry Maguire and Addicted to Love — died following a private two-year diagnosis with breast cancer.
—
Kate Hogan, People.com, 12 July 2025
In recent months, Trump has made selective public appearances that reflect her private, lowkey nature.
—Jay Stahl, USA Today, 12 July 2025
The private peninsula juts out into Flathead Lake, the largest body of fresh water west of the Mississippi River.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 12 July 2025
The recent acquisition of 80% of its operating business by one of Europe’s oldest and most prestigious private equity firms, PAI Partners, values the brand at $3.6 billion.
—Katharina Kotrba, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for private
Kate Hogan, People.com, 12 July 2025
In recent months, Trump has made selective public appearances that reflect her private, lowkey nature.
—Jay Stahl, USA Today, 12 July 2025
The private peninsula juts out into Flathead Lake, the largest body of fresh water west of the Mississippi River.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 12 July 2025
The recent acquisition of 80% of its operating business by one of Europe’s oldest and most prestigious private equity firms, PAI Partners, values the brand at $3.6 billion.
—Katharina Kotrba, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for private
Recent Examples of Synonyms for private
Adjective
-
Thomas had been a confidential informant for the Elkhart County Drug Task Force for 10 months leading up to his shooting Aug. 19, 1998.—
Kristine Phillips,
IndyStar,
3 July 2025
-
Both settlement agreements are confidential and prohibit the former Bardstown students from discussing what happened.—
Stephanie Kuzydym,
The Courier-Journal,
2 July 2025
Adjective
-
After paying private equity tycoon Jack McGinley $52 million in a clandestine off-market deal for the Georgian-style spread, which was designed by architect Don Nulty and built in 2009 for 9-1-1: Lone Star actor Rob Lowe, Levine and Prinsloo have put the place back on the market for $65 million.—
Wendy Bowman,
Robb Report,
10 July 2025
-
Built to listen for clandestine nuclear bomb blasts, the globe-spanning system detects low-frequency acoustic-gravity waves.—
Deni Ellis Béchard,
Scientific American,
9 July 2025
Adjective
-
Those personal testimonies led board members to draft amendments that would put $759,962 into funds from the board's reserve, which is just over $45 million.—
Natalie Eilbert,
jsonline.com,
11 July 2025
-
The film captures the visceral anger, the fraught relationships with authority, the deeply personal interpretations of a global crisis that defined those years.—
Ana Gutierrez,
Austin American Statesman,
11 July 2025
Adjective
-
The tours are accessible via phone, but each stop is kept secret throughout the journey.—
Kaela Ling,Monica Pitrelli,
CNBC,
10 July 2025
-
Ingredients For Sad Cake Only a few basic ingredients are needed for simple Sad Cake, including a Southerner's best kept baking secret: Bisquick Mix.—
Catherine Jessee,
Southern Living,
10 July 2025
Adjective
-
Watch a sneak peek below, then read on for more: Go undercover and solve local mysteries with Christmas shop owner Emily Lane!—
Matt Webb Mitovich,
TVLine,
7 July 2025
-
The solution was to move sensitive work — such as undercover drug operations or high-risk search warrants — to encrypted channels while making the day-to-day calls for service accessible.—
Teri Figueroa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 July 2025
Adjective
-
As originally proposed, the CTA Super Loop running west from North and Clybourn would have merely grazed Lincoln Yards with an underground station at the far southwestern corner of the tract, North and Elston.—
F.K. Plous,
Chicago Tribune,
11 July 2025
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There are several places to park for Scottsdale Canal Convergence: Scottsdale Waterfront underground parking garage, 7135 E. Camelback Road.—
Meredith G. White,
AZCentral.com,
10 July 2025
Adjective
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Recommendation letters remain deeply subjective and often reflect access to elite mentors more than actual ability.—
Leadership Brainery,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
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That’s also important to remember when evaluating the report’s annual quality of life index, a subjective measure that includes the cost of living but also factors in commute times, pollution, crime, and health care availability.—
Greg McKenna,
Fortune,
27 June 2025
Adjective
-
Now, after Operation Midnight Hammer, arguably one of the most perfect covert military operations in U.S. history, who could argue? Even Trump’s most ardent critics had to give him credit.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
28 June 2025
-
The show has spent its entire fourth season tiptoeing around Sydney’s covert job offer, Carmy’s partnership alterations, and whatever was going on inside Richie’s GoFastBoatsMojito brain, but in one big, 30-odd-minute bottle episode, it’s all been laid on the table.—
Marah Eakin,
Vulture,
26 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Private.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/private. Accessed 16 Jul. 2025.
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