secrete

Definition of secretenext
as in to conceal
to put into a hiding place the police found the weapon secreted under the driver's seat of the getaway car

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word secrete distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of secrete are bury, conceal, hide, and screen. While all these words mean "to withhold or withdraw from sight," secrete suggests a depositing in a place unknown to others.

secreted the amulet inside his shirt

Where would bury be a reasonable alternative to secrete?

The words bury and secrete can be used in similar contexts, but bury implies covering up so as to hide completely.

buried the treasure

In what contexts can conceal take the place of secrete?

In some situations, the words conceal and secrete are roughly equivalent. However, conceal usually does imply intent and often specifically implies a refusal to divulge.

concealed the weapon

When might hide be a better fit than secrete?

While in some cases nearly identical to secrete, hide may or may not suggest intent.

hide in the closet
a house hidden in the woods

When could screen be used to replace secrete?

While the synonyms screen and secrete are close in meaning, screen implies an interposing of something that prevents discovery.

a house screened by trees

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for secrete
Verb
  • Shoplifting more than $100 by concealing merchandise.
    Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 10 Mar. 2026
  • But the late-Baroque facade of the building conceals a special, darker history, one that reflects persistent political and legal problems for the bank thousands of miles away, in the US.
    Hugo Miller, Bloomberg, 10 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Living together made hiding harder.
    Jennifer Wolfgram, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2026
  • This information is conveyed by a hilariously avant-garde Poulter, playing the store’s manager, who dyes his hair to match each monochromatic scheme and hides his nefariousness behind a company policy that requires techno music to be played at maximum volume at all times.
    Jada Yuan, Vulture, 13 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Like your mother’s complacency, which was probably buried in your gene code somewhere.
    Addie Citchens, New Yorker, 8 Mar. 2026
  • Said to be the first person buried on the hill that became Oakwood Cemetery, the city's oldest, he was killed while traveling between Bastrop and Austin.
    Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 7 Mar. 2026
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.

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Secrete.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/secrete. Accessed 15 Mar. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on secrete

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!

More from Merriam-Webster