1
as in confidential
not known or meant to be known by the general populace
privy information on the current state of the peace negotiations
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in clandestine
undertaken or done so as to escape being observed or known by others
privy meetings between high-level representatives from both sides for the purpose of bringing about an armistice
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in personal
of, relating to, or belonging to a single person
a privy seal that can be used only by the British monarch
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in outhouse
Related Words
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 privy
Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2023
But it could actually only be used by up to 40 people at a time – each side of the privy is lined with around 20 holes.
—Emiko Jozuka, CNN, 19 Oct. 2022
Daniel Mason, Harper's Magazine, 2 Dec. 2024
The latter is an important detail to which her son is not exactly privy.
—Shannon Carlin, TIME, 1 Aug. 2024
See All Example Sentences for privy
Adjective
An hour in, the setup is still going on as Rom rummages through old photographs, putting together connections the audience has never been privy to.
—Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2023
But it could actually only be used by up to 40 people at a time – each side of the privy is lined with around 20 holes.
—Emiko Jozuka, CNN, 19 Oct. 2022
Noun
Around the table, introductions went—Sokolov, a retired general—a lawyer, Voronin—a pair of cousins, pale young men, one broad, one fine—the wife of a Swiss consul—an architect—two men who gave their aristocratic titles—a privy councilor who introduced himself by civil rank.
—Daniel Mason, Harper's Magazine, 2 Dec. 2024
The latter is an important detail to which her son is not exactly privy.
—Shannon Carlin, TIME, 1 Aug. 2024
See All Example Sentences for privy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for privy
Adjective
-
All calls are toll-free and confidential.—
Chris Spargo,
PEOPLE,
5 Sep. 2025
-
An adequate business connection-building organization customarily structures its groups around confidential discussion boards, consistent conferences or meetings, and like-minded experiences.—
Nia Bowers,
USA Today,
3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The Bundy family’s statement noted this and said their destination was not clandestine, as the FBI document alleged.—
Nicole Blanchard,
Idaho Statesman,
7 Sep. 2025
-
The result was the Commandos, who operated in clandestine raids behind the lines to harass the enemy with remarkable success.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Even if there is no criminal investigation, the NFL has the authority — in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement — to independently investigate allegations in a civil matter and discipline Hill under the league’s personal conduct policy.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
10 Sep. 2025
-
So yeah, that case was personal.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
In the 19 cabins here, propane lamps provide light, a wooden stove gives off heat, drinking water comes from an outdoor spigot, and a short path leads to an outhouse.—
Chloe Arrojado,
AFAR Media,
25 Aug. 2025
-
The governor ordered state officials to search every warehouse, farmhouse, henhouse, outhouse and doghouse.—
Matt K. Lewis,
Mercury News,
15 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Choosing who carries the card out can be rooted in superstition, some secret joke or, simply, the closest player to the dugout steps.—
Chandler Rome,
New York Times,
4 Sep. 2025
-
The secret weapon is flower pollen, according to their study recently published in the journal Advanced Functional Materials.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Get Ready: Katy Perry Has Released a Sneak Peek of Her New Song And the internet has receipts.—
Mehera Bonner,
Marie Claire,
15 Mar. 2017
Adjective
-
The inability, or decision not, to sell players who would have boosted the club’s spending power is a subjective call made by United’s key decision-makers that will never sit right with some supporters.—
Beren Cross,
New York Times,
5 Sep. 2025
-
The 49-year-old star has now decided to step behind the camera with her feature debut, Girl (Nühai), delivering a deeply subjective and occasionally jarring portrait of a teenager growing up in the 1980s.—
Jordan Mintzer,
HollywoodReporter,
4 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Here there are two separate vanities with sinks, a hydro-soaking tub, separate shower stall, and a separate room for the commode.—
James Alexander,
Hartford Courant,
17 Aug. 2025
-
This budget-friendly Nova Medical Products folding commode is simple to assemble, store and clean between uses and features a weight capacity of up to 300 pounds.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
15 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Privy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/privy. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share