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
-
Per Reuters, McCartney reached a confidential settlement with Sony/ATV in June 2017.—
Sophie Dodd,
PEOPLE,
2 Oct. 2025
-
The Federal Communications Commission may have accidentally leaked confidential design schematics for the iPhone 16e.—
Senior Reporter,
PC Magazine,
29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
What’s being communicated in this clandestine network of underground messaging?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Oct. 2025
-
There’s a lead character’s creeping paranoia, a plot driven by nefarious and clandestine powers that be, the encroachment of the past on the present.—
Kevin Dolak,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
We, in collaboration with our partners, store and/or access information on a user's device, including but not limited to IP addresses, unique identifiers, and browsing data stored in cookies, in order to process personal data.—
Jazz Monroe,
Pitchfork,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Shop Apple AirTags, personal safety alarms, anti-theft bags, and more essentials while they’re marked down up to 56 percent off.—
Aly Walansky,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
This outhouse, very low-key in its arrangement and cold in winter, would later be transformed in 1934 to become a proper writing lodge.—
Katie da Cunha Lewin
September 26,
Literary Hub,
26 Sep. 2025
-
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
Adjective
-
Other potential Marvel projects on the horizon include Doctor Strange 3, a secret project produced by Scarlett Johansson, and another Deadpool-adjacent mutant movie featuring Ryan Reynolds.—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
2 Oct. 2025
-
It was intended to be kept secret.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
2 Oct. 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
-
Success in combat is less subjective than success in many other activities and therefore leaves less room for favoritism, rent seeking, and old-fashioned sandbagging.—
Dan Brooks,
The Atlantic,
2 Oct. 2025
-
Of course, there is no definitive answer to the question of which royal princess has more aura, which is itself a highly subjective concept.—
Jack Royston,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 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 9 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share