secret 1 of 2

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

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
As the alcohol flows, the secrets come out. Billie Melissa, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025 Or their no-longer-secret affair? Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
Many of the wares showcase a beautiful, rich red tone, which is a secret family glaze. Jennifer Prince, Southern Living, 10 Sep. 2025 But Lecornu has run into some controversy in the past for entertaining far-right leader Marine Le Pen at a secret dinner to discuss Ukraine last year. Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 10 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for secret
Recent Examples of Synonyms for secret
Noun
  • Girls in particular report drops in confidence, disrupted sleep, and heavier struggles with mental health.
    Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
  • And with consecutive 100-plus yard performances from two different wideouts, Albin’s confidence in the offense continues to grow.
    Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 14 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Some scholars countered that Venusian volcanoes could have produced phosphine; others said that the measurements were dubious, and the mystery gas wasn’t phosphine.
    David W. Brown, New Yorker, 13 Sep. 2025
  • The music feels like a murder mystery caper, propelled by urgency yet never losing its lightness.
    Sheila Regan, Twin Cities, 13 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The back interior pocket is a zip pocket for safekeeping lipsticks or ID cards, and the two front pockets are slip pockets ideal for a cell phone or keys.
    Rebecca Jones, Southern Living, 13 Sep. 2025
  • However, instead of dedicated keys, leaping is merely a part of THE's internal command line, termed the Humane Quasimode, where other commands can be sent.
    Cameron Kaiser, ArsTechnica, 12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Co-created by The New York Times bestselling author Carr and season 1 creator and showrunner David DiGilio, Dark Wolf follows Ben Edwards (Taylor Kitsch) on his journey from the SEALs to the clandestine side of CIA special operations.
    Susan Young, PEOPLE, 11 Sep. 2025
  • The Bundy family’s statement noted this and said their destination was not clandestine, as the FBI document alleged.
    Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Cameron Crowe researched what would become his debut script by going undercover as a high school student for a full year in what can only be described as a 21 Jump Street stunt.
    Paul Fitzgerald, Rolling Stone, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Further, this legislation is unnecessary if it is truly intended to apply to undercover officers.
    Charles Champion, Oc Register, 8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Surrounded by rocky limestone cliffs, verdant rainforests and the emerald Andaman Sea, the world’s first Ritz-Carlton Reserve is a secluded, 54-room temple to contemporary Thai design that is as beautiful as its backdrop.
    Jennifer Kester, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Sunset and Ocean Isle beaches are favorites for families, while Caswell and Bald Head Island are more secluded and rich with wildlife.
    Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • All calls are toll-free and confidential.
    Samira Asma-Sadeque, PEOPLE, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Incomes and inheritances are not confidential matters.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • At the very beginning, Stebbins is who all of the other boys think is either going to win the walk or will get the first ticket out.
    Leia Mendoza, Variety, 13 Sep. 2025
  • The organization has defended its dynamic pricing strategy, part of a plan to generate $3 billion in ticket sales next year, arguing that the money funds the sport around the world.
    Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 13 Sep. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Secret.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/secret. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on secret

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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