1
as in confidence
information shared only with another or with a select few
you didn't really expect him to keep a secret from his wife, did you?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in mystery
something hard to understand or explain
the secrets of the Egyptian pyramids include the construction methods used to lift the huge blocks of stone in place
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in key
something that allows someone to achieve a desired goal
the secret to advancement in this company is hard work and dedication
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in clandestine
undertaken or done so as to escape being observed or known by others
a secret operation to rescue captive soldiers behind enemy lines
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in undercover
working on missions in which one's objectives, activities, or true identity are not publicly revealed
secret agents whose wartime exploits were known only by top government officials
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
4
as in confidential
not known or meant to be known by the general populace
proprietary information that the company does its best to keep secret
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 secret
Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 27 June 2025
The power of meditation for cultivating personal well-being is hardly a secret.
—Mariah G. Schug, Scientific American, 27 June 2025
Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 8 July 2025
And for those stunning backless dresses that demand a bra-free look, nipple covers are your secret weapon for confident coverage.
—Caitlyn Martyn
May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for secret
Noun
The novel, published by Sourcebooks’ Poisoned Pen Press, explores themes of revenge, privilege, and the deadly consequences when secrets turn sour.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 27 June 2025
The power of meditation for cultivating personal well-being is hardly a secret.
—Mariah G. Schug, Scientific American, 27 June 2025
Adjective
But besides her own rhode products, she’s got a couple of secret weapons in her skincare arsenal.
—Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 8 July 2025
And for those stunning backless dresses that demand a bra-free look, nipple covers are your secret weapon for confident coverage.
—Caitlyn Martyn
May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for secret
Recent Examples of Synonyms for secret
Noun
-
Full of confidence and eager to prove the worth of his colt, the veteran conditioner brilliantly prepared Forever Young for another run on American soil in the 2024 Breeders’ Cup Classic.—
Danny Brewer,
Forbes.com,
6 July 2025
-
The findings show a growing generational divide in workplace confidence, and these fears are not necessarily unfounded.—
Aliss Higham,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 July 2025
Noun
-
So there's going to be a strong reaction in both directions for this mystery houseguest.—
David Wysong,
The Enquirer,
4 July 2025
-
Amid all of this, Italian women’s football remains something of a mystery to most outsiders.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
3 July 2025
Noun
-
The key is fitting the right programming to the right platform.—
Alex Weprin,
HollywoodReporter,
30 June 2025
-
More than anything else, the key is to recognize that these AIs are complex software programs that exist to serve a purpose for the creators who are investing massive resources in their construction.—
Nisha Talagala,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
Adjective
-
American veterans and others have traveled to smaller, clandestine clinics for treatment to deal with depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and addiction.—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA Today,
29 June 2025
-
Gi-hun, who’d found his way back in the clandestine gaming complex (situated inside a mountain on a remote island), is Player 456 again among a new round of contestants.—
Lorraine Ali,
Los Angeles Times,
28 June 2025
Adjective
-
Conan Edogawa and Detective Kogoro Mouri join the Nagano prefectural police to investigate a break-in at the observatory while uncovering a deeper plot involving undercover agents, betrayal, and vengeance.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
30 June 2025
-
On June 24, undercover agents attempted to purchase fireworks from Pan.—
Roni Jacobson,
New York Daily News,
30 June 2025
Adjective
-
The beachfront property is delightfully secluded and has views of Mauritius' most famous peak, Le Morne Brabant, and the vibrant Tamarin Bay.—
Julie Olum,
Travel + Leisure,
29 June 2025
-
The newlyweds reportedly had to make an eleventh hour venue change, opting for the more secluded and secure Arsenale for the Saturday reception, according to local media.—
Lauren Harvey,
Los Angeles Times,
28 June 2025
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
Noun
-
The lucky player chose the Quick Pick option, meaning a lottery machine chose at least some of their ticket numbers at random, rules show.—
Simone Jasper,
Miami Herald,
30 June 2025
-
More than 470,000 other Powerball tickets sold in the United States also won prizes ranging from $4 to $100,000, the lottery said.—
Don Sweeney,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Secret.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/secret. Accessed 13 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share