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?

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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
The novel, published by Sourcebooks’ Poisoned Pen Press, explores themes of revenge, privilege, and the deadly consequences when secrets turn sour. Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 27 June 2025 The power of meditation for cultivating personal well-being is hardly a secret. Mariah G. Schug, Scientific American, 27 June 2025
Adjective
The source of the light, which shifted from blue to green to a white whose secret ingredient is ultraviolet, sat in the middle of what could have been an alien lantern, with the otherworldly lightbulb supported in a mystifying structure of translucent plastic. Madeline Bodin, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 June 2025 Though Epps and Sykes give the flashiest comedic performances, Fields is the show's secret weapon. Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 26 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for secret
Recent Examples of Synonyms for secret
Noun
  • Athit Perawongmetha | Reuters China is devising more ways for foreign institutions to use the yuan, as international confidence in the U.S. dollar falters.
    Lee Ying Shan,Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 25 June 2025
  • Khan said the data actually instills confidence in the health of the overall housing market.
    Nick Mordowanec, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 June 2025
Noun
  • With the entire dataset open to the public, the team hopes the fresh eyes, as well as graduate and undergraduate astronomers, will uncover something new and unlock clues about cosmic mysteries like dark matter and the physics of the early universe.
    Jay Kakade June 22, New Atlas, 22 June 2025
  • But two new studies — which researchers say are among the biggest paleoanthropology papers of the year — detail how scientists were able to extract genetic material from the fossil and help unravel this biological mystery.
    Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 21 June 2025
Noun
  • The key is fitting the right programming to the right platform.
    Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 30 June 2025
  • More than anything else, the key is to recognize that these AIs are complex software programs that exist to serve a purpose for the creators who are investing massive resources in their construction.
    Nisha Talagala, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
Adjective
  • American veterans and others have traveled to smaller, clandestine clinics for treatment to deal with depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and addiction.
    Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 29 June 2025
  • Gi-hun, who’d found his way back in the clandestine gaming complex (situated inside a mountain on a remote island), is Player 456 again among a new round of contestants.
    Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 28 June 2025
Adjective
  • On June 24, undercover agents attempted to purchase fireworks from Pan.
    Roni Jacobson, New York Daily News, 30 June 2025
  • Conan Edogawa and Detective Kogoro Mouri join the Nagano prefectural police to investigate a break-in at the observatory while uncovering a deeper plot involving undercover agents, betrayal, and vengeance.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 30 June 2025
Adjective
  • The beachfront property is delightfully secluded and has views of Mauritius' most famous peak, Le Morne Brabant, and the vibrant Tamarin Bay.
    Julie Olum, Travel + Leisure, 29 June 2025
  • The newlyweds reportedly had to make an eleventh hour venue change, opting for the more secluded and secure Arsenale for the Saturday reception, according to local media.
    Lauren Harvey, Los Angeles Times, 28 June 2025
Adjective
  • The city argued the policy was confidential, and would interfere with the department’s ability to fight crime.
    Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 June 2025
  • Her usual duties included accessing confidential deputy records and internal affairs investigations.
    James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2025
Noun
  • The lucky player chose the Quick Pick option, meaning a lottery machine chose at least some of their ticket numbers at random, rules show.
    Simone Jasper, Miami Herald, 30 June 2025
  • In fact, the Pirates would likely be OK with cutting ties with Bednar in exchange for a few lottery ticket prospects ranked in the top 30 of the Cubs' system.
    Zach Pressnell, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Secret.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/secret. Accessed 6 Jul. 2025.

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