secret 1 of 2

Definition of secretnext
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?

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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

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3

secret

2 of 2

adjective

1
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

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3
as in secluded
screened or sequestered from view a secret cave that is screened by trees

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4

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

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
Noun
Slippery Neptune moves into your intimidating 8th house, touching upon boundaries with money, secrets, and other vulnerable topics. Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 26 Jan. 2026 The universe may plan on keeping the rest of its secrets. Quanta Magazine, 26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
Donning the mask for the first time in 20 years, Diego must then reconcile his dual identity as Zorro and mayor, and shield his secret identity from his wife Gabriella (Audrey Dana). Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 27 Jan. 2026 How to order off McDonald's secret menuNeed a news break? Chad Murphy, Cincinnati Enquirer, 27 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for secret
Recent Examples of Synonyms for secret
Noun
  • Many CEOs assume that once a capable CFO is in place, financial confidence will follow.
    Melissa Houston, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026
  • Now the public appears to have lost confidence in Noem.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 27 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Originally, this was a great mystery, as cosmic rays were known to be composed almost exclusively of protons, and the theoretical limit on a proton that traveled through intergalactic space should forbid such excessively high energies.
    Big Think, Big Think, 30 Jan. 2026
  • However, the exact source of these jets around their black hole central engines and the precise mechanism powering them is still something of a mystery.
    Robert Lea, Space.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • The key is to start where friction is highest, whether that’s customer responses, proposals, first-pass marketing copy or product listings, and introduce a simple review checklist that defines what must be accurate, what must never be claimed, and what requires human sign-off.
    Alison Coleman, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
  • Her dreams of late had all been like this, trying to pack without a bag or leave the house without her keys, trying to read without her contacts.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Manned semisubmersibles built in clandestine jungle shipyards have been used for decades to ferry cocaine north from Colombia, the world's biggest cocaine producer, to Central America or Mexico.
    CBS News, CBS News, 26 Jan. 2026
  • Written and directed by Jafar Panahi (known for his clandestine 2011 documentary This Is Not a Film), the story follows released political prisoners seeking revenge after a chance roadside meeting.
    Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 22 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • According to the District Attorney’s Office, Akers was working undercover as part of a task force when Stewart, 46, ran from uniformed law enforcement officers and then hid inside an unlocked tow truck.
    Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026
  • The undercover investigators later spoke with Lorenz by phone.
    Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 24 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Look no further than Kirby Cove, a secluded beach in the Marin Headlands with a view that won't disappoint.
    Alanna Bennett, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Jan. 2026
  • Situated next to Provo Golf Club, Ocean Club East offers a quieter escape with a secluded beachfront.
    Allison Tibaldi, USA Today, 24 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • The ability to store highly confidential creative work in one secure location is what made Dropbox a staple in the film industry.
    Caitlin White, Variety, 23 Jan. 2026
  • Only two journalists were invited to attend, and the meeting was expected to be largely off the record because confidential information was being discussed.
    Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 23 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Concert tickets routinely include service and transaction fees—rightly criticized, but widely normalized.
    Shain Shapiro, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
  • Bill Belichick’s resume screams one-way ticket to Canton, Ohio, but when he wasn’t voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, many were left flabbergasted on Tuesday night.
    Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 28 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Secret.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/secret. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.

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