secret 1 of 2

noun

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
as in key
something that allows someone to achieve a desired goal the secret to advancement in this company is hard work and dedication

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secret

2 of 2

adjective

ˈsē-krət How to pronounce secret (audio)
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

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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
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

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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
For most of history, locksmiths and lockmakers have guarded their secrets as closely as magicians withhold their tricks. — Shayla Love, New Yorker, 10 Oct. 2026 The prosecutor said Farwell agreed to her demands to appease her and keep their relationship a secret. — Faith Karimi, CNN Money, 9 Oct. 2026
Adjective
Eight venues are interconnected by hidden passageways, secret entrances, and whimsical performances. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Oct. 2026 In the back rooms, Rana teaches mathematics for free, alongside women running secret lessons in English and computer skills under cover of sewing and beadwork. — Mark Sappenfield, Christian Science Monitor, 9 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for secret
Recent Examples of Synonyms for secret
  1. confidence
  2. mystery
  3. key
  4. clandestine
  5. undercover
  6. secluded
  7. confidential
  8. ticket
Noun
  • Economists like Robert Lucas and Edward Prescott — who each won Nobel Prizes — challenged Keynesian economics and its confidence that government policy could effectively smooth out the economy's ups and downs.
    — Greg Rosalsky, NPR, 13 Oct. 2026
  • The Moon in your sign squares Jupiter, making confidence, frustration, desire, or impatience harder to moderate.
    — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of confidence
Noun
  • The Sox’s pitching plans are a daily mystery, and worries over Grant Taylor’s right arm falling off have become nightly debates in South Side bars.
    — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Lucy’s constant sense of invention sometimes falters under the album’s new, megawatt spotlight, lacking the enticing mystery that gives their best music its power.
    — H.D. Angel, Pitchfork, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of mystery
Noun
  • Turang said the key is what happens when they are faced with adversity — like Sunday night.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2026
  • An attention head compares each word’s query with the keys of all the other words in the sentence.
    — Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of key
Adjective
  • Bridgers’ tour restricts phones, so the reader’s account had to stand in for the clandestine photo that might otherwise have accompanied the sighting.
    — Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 6 Oct. 2026
  • The Soviet Union operated an extensive clandestine biological weapons program despite being a party to the Biological Weapons Convention.
    — Krutika Kuppalli, STAT, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of clandestine
Adjective
  • The show revolved around Crockett and Tubbs, two undercover detectives infiltrating South Florida’s criminal underworld.
    — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2026
  • At its center is a youngish man named Bob Arctor, an undercover cop who starts using drugs in order to infiltrate a house full of addicts in Southern California.
    — Hilton Als, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of undercover
Adjective
  • The final, most remote destination in my journey is Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge, a secluded, off-grid glamping outpost accessible only by floatplane or boat.
    — Adrienne Matei, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Oct. 2026
  • In Russia, fish processing workers were held captive in secluded company towns or stuck on ships far from shore.
    — Ian Urbina, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of secluded
Adjective
  • Confidential sources Rahmer acknowledged in his testimony that there are limits to knowing who is a confidential informant or working for agencies outside the FBI.
    — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 10 Oct. 2026
  • His case was also shared with the local district attorney, who has the authority to prosecute misuse of confidential governmental data, but the district attorney declined to pursue criminal charges, the audit said.
    — Dakota Smith, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of confidential
Noun
  • The official Instagram account for the BOK Center said that ticket refunds and additional information will be shared as soon as possible.
    — Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2026
  • For those traveling in standard class with Comfort tickets, there’s a Starbucks, Shot Neighbourhood Coffee, WHSmith and soon-to-open McDonald's, along with a vending machine selling affordable hot meals.
    — Sophia Dyer, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of ticket

Phrases Containing secret

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secrecy
secret
secret agent
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Cite this Entry

“Secret.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/secret. Accessed 16 Oct. 2026.

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