Synonyms of secret

secret 1 of 2

noun

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

• confidence
• dope
• lowdown

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• open secret

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

• mystery
• enigma
• puzzle
• riddle
• why
• conundrum
• closed book
• mystification
• problem
• puzzlement
• challenge
• matter
• head-scratcher
• perplexity
• trouble
• poser
• case
• knot
• stumper
• brainteaser

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

• key
• ticket
• gateway
• passport
• way
• open sesame
• approach
• method
• success
• password
• means
• technique
• system
• plan
• triumph
• coup
• strategy
• achievement
• program
• style
• blueprint
• attainment
• accomplishment
• scheme
• manner
• design
• ground plan

secret

2 of 2

adjective

ˈsē-krət 

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

• clandestine
• undercover
• sneak
• underground
• covert
• private
• sneaking
• stealth
• surreptitious
• sneaky
• furtive
• behind-the-scenes
• stealthy
• hush-hush
• undisclosed
• hole-and-corner
• privy
• underhand
• underhanded
• confidential
• backstairs
• hidden
• closed-door
• off-the-record
• off-the-books
• classified
• top secret
• hugger-mugger
• restricted
• secreted
• subterranean
• concealed
• back-channel
• unadvertised
• unexposed

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• public
• open
• overt
• avowed
• acknowledged
• straightforward
• unclassified
• obvious
• unrestricted
• clear
• manifest
• plain
• evident
• undisguised
• unconcealed
• aboveboard
• patent

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

• undercover
• subterranean
• covert
• private
• secretive

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• overt

3

as in secluded

screened or sequestered from view

a secret cave that is screened by trees

Synonyms & Similar Words

• secluded
• hidden
• sheltered
• covert
• quiet
• private
• isolated
• remote
• retired
• lone
• lonely
• cloistered
• solitary
• reclusive
• lonesome

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• obvious
• visible
• exposed

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

• confidential
• private
• hidden
• undisclosed
• classified
• esoteric
• personal
• intimate
• inside
• clandestine
• nonpublic
• privy
• behind-the-scenes
• undercover
• hush-hush
• restricted
• concealed
• covert
• hushed
• top secret
• underground
• untold
• unsaid
• surreptitious
• conspiratorial
• unmentioned
• unadvertised
• closet
• silent
• collusive
• sneaky
• sneak
• furtive
• stealthy
• unannounced
• closeted
• underhand
• underhanded
• occult
• suppressed
• repressed
• silenced
• sneaking
• backstage
• stifled
• offscreen
• offstage
• hugger-mugger

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• public
• common
• open
• general
• broadcast
• publicized
• disclosed
• proclaimed
• professed
• popular
• declared
• current
• advertised
• reported
• aired
• announced
• widespread
• published
• prevailing
• well-known
• heralded
• vulgar
• blazed
• prevalent
• divulged
• rife
• communal
• shared
• promulgated
• enunciated
• spotlighted

Synonym Chooser

How is the word secret distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of secret are clandestine, covert, furtive, stealthy, surreptitious, and underhanded. While all these words mean "done without attracting observation," secret implies concealment on any grounds for any motive.

met at a secret location

When would clandestine be a good substitute for secret?

While the synonyms clandestine and secret are close in meaning, clandestine implies secrecy usually for an evil, illicit, or unauthorized purpose and often emphasizes the fear of being discovered.

a clandestine meeting of conspirators

In what contexts can covert take the place of secret?

In some situations, the words covert and secret are roughly equivalent. However, covert stresses the fact of not being open or declared.

covert intelligence operations

When is furtive a more appropriate choice than secret?

The synonyms furtive and secret are sometimes interchangeable, but furtive implies a sly or cautious stealthiness.

lovers exchanging furtive glances

When is it sensible to use stealthy instead of secret?

The words stealthy and secret can be used in similar contexts, but stealthy suggests taking pains to avoid being seen or heard especially in some misdoing.

the stealthy step of a burglar

Where would surreptitious be a reasonable alternative to secret?

The words surreptitious and secret are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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

When could underhanded be used to replace secret?

While in some cases nearly identical to secret, underhanded stresses fraud or deception.

an underhanded trick

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of secret

Noun

Marry Me Chicken Soup Cream cheese is the secret to success in this silky smooth soup that’s consistently at the top of the charts among BHG readers. — Lizzy Briskin, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Sep. 2026

Minutes Producer Shari Finkelstein Just off the side of the road sat a grand white house called Sharswood, silently holding secrets from the past, waiting for a new owner to uncover them. — Lesley Stahl, CBS News, 6 Sep. 2026

Adjective

Terrorist acts are typically carried out by secret actors operating within a country’s borders, and 9/11 was the ultimate case in point. — Daniel Benjamin, Foreign Affairs, 11 Sep. 2026

Federal prosecutors have launched a criminal investigation into allegations that the Los Angeles Clippers arranged secret, off-the-books sponsorship deals for Kawhi Leonard to circumvent the NBA’s salary cap, first reported by The New York Times. — Alejandro Avila Outkick, FOXNews.com, 11 Sep. 2026

Phrases Containing secret

• in secret
• secret agent
• top secret