Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

secret

adjective

Synonyms and Antonyms of secret

1 undertaken or done so as to escape being observed or known by others

  • a secret operation to rescue captive soldiers behind enemy lines
Synonyms of secret

backstairs, behind-the-scenes, clandestine, covert, furtive, hole-and-corner, hugger-mugger, hush-hush, private, privy, sneak, sneaking, sneaky, stealth, stealthy, surreptitious, undercover, underground, underhand, underhanded
Words Related to secret

back-channel, closed-door, off-the-books, off-the-record

classified, confidential, restricted, top secret, undisclosed

concealed, hidden, secreted, subterranean, unadvertised, unexposed
Near Antonyms of secret

acknowledged, avowed

aboveboard, straightforward, unconcealed, undisguised

unclassified, unrestricted

clear, evident, manifest, obvious, patent, plain
Antonyms of secret

open, overt, public

2 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 of secret

undercover
Words Related to secret

covert, private, secretive, subterranean
Near Antonyms of secret

overt

3 screened or sequestered from view

  • a secret cave that is screened by trees
Synonyms of secret

cloistered, covert, hidden, isolated, quiet, remote, retired, secluded, sheltered
Words Related to secret

lone, lonely, lonesome, reclusive, solitary

private
Near Antonyms of secret

obvious, visible

exposed

4 not known or meant to be known by the general populace

  • proprietary information that the company does its best to keep secret
Synonyms of secret

behind-the-scenes, confidential, esoteric, hush-hush, hushed, inside, intimate, nonpublic, private, privy
Words Related to secret

classified, restricted, top secret

silent, unadvertised, unannounced, undisclosed, unmentioned, unsaid, untold

clandestine, closet, collusive, conspiratorial, covert

furtive, hugger-mugger, occult, sneak, sneaking, sneaky, stealthy, surreptitious, undercover, underground, underhand, underhanded

personal

closeted, concealed, hidden

repressed, silenced, stifled, suppressed

backstage, offscreen, offstage
Near Antonyms of secret

well-known

advertised, aired, announced, blazed, broadcast, declared, disclosed, divulged, enunciated, heralded, proclaimed, professed, promulgated, publicized, published, reported, spotlighted

general, popular, prevailing, vulgar

current, prevalent, rife, widespread

communal, shared
Antonyms of secret

common, open, public

Synonym Discussion of secret

secret, covert, stealthy, furtive, clandestine, surreptitious, underhanded mean done without attracting observation. secret implies concealment on any grounds for any motive.
    • met at a secret location
covert stresses the fact of not being open or declared.
    • covert intelligence operations
stealthy suggests taking pains to avoid being seen or heard especially in some misdoing.
    • the stealthy step of a burglar
furtive implies a sly or cautious stealthiness.
    • lovers exchanging furtive glances
clandestine implies secrecy usually for an evil, illicit, or unauthorized purpose and often emphasizes the fear of being discovered.
    • a clandestine meeting of conspirators
surreptitious applies to action or behavior done secretly often with skillful avoidance of detection and in violation of custom, law, or authority.
    • the surreptitious stockpiling of weapons
underhanded stresses fraud or deception.
    • an underhanded trick

secret

noun

Synonyms and Antonyms of secret

1 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 of secret

confidence
Words Related to secret

dope, lowdown
Near Antonyms of secret

open secret

2 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 of secret

closed book, conundrum, enigma, head-scratcher, mystery, mystification, puzzle, puzzlement, riddle, why
Words Related to secret

brainteaser, case, challenge, knot, matter, perplexity, poser, problem, stumper, trouble

3 something that allows someone to achieve a desired goal

  • the secret to advancement in this company is hard work and dedication
Synonyms of secret

gateway, key, open sesame, passport, ticket
Words Related to secret

password

accomplishment, achievement, attainment, coup, success, triumph

approach, manner, means, method, style, system, technique, way

blueprint, design, ground plan, plan, program, scheme, strategy

Learn More about secret

  1. Dictionary: Definition of secret Spanish Central: Translation of secret Nglish: Translation of secret for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of secret for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up secret? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show comments hide comments

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games