Synonyms of secretive

secretive

adjective

ˈsē-krə-tiv 

as in silent

given to keeping one's activities hidden from public observation or knowledge

the intelligence agency remained secretive despite the media's demands for more openness in government

Synonyms & Similar Words

• silent
• quiet
• close
• reticent
• uncommunicative
• closemouthed
• dark
• prudent
• discreet
• taciturn
• tight-mouthed
• reserved
• clandestine
• tight-lipped
• secret
• furtive
• surreptitious
• stealthy
• sneaky
• covert
• undercover
• underhanded
• underhand
• sneak
• hugger-mugger

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• open
• communicative
• honest
• frank
• candid
• outspoken
• blunt
• up-front
• out-front
• tactless

Synonym Chooser

How is the word secretive distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of secretive are reserved, reticent, silent, and taciturn. While all these words mean "showing restraint in speaking," secretive, too, implies reticence but usually carries a suggestion of deviousness and lack of frankness or of an often ostentatious will to conceal.

the secretive research and development division

When is it sensible to use reserved instead of secretive?

While in some cases nearly identical to secretive, reserved implies reticence and suggests the restraining influence of caution or formality in checking easy informal conversational exchange.

greetings were brief, formal, and reserved

When can reticent be used instead of secretive?

The words reticent and secretive can be used in similar contexts, but reticent implies a reluctance to speak out or at length, especially about one's own affairs.

was reticent about his plans

When could silent be used to replace secretive?

The meanings of silent and secretive largely overlap; however, silent implies a habit of saying no more than is needed.

the strong, silent type

Where would taciturn be a reasonable alternative to secretive?

The synonyms taciturn and secretive are sometimes interchangeable, but taciturn implies a temperamental disinclination to speech and usually connotes unsociability.

taciturn villagers

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of secretive

These secretive—but adorable—woodland carnivores nearly went extinct. —Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 22 Jan. 2026

One of America’s most important – and secretive – overseas assets, Diego Garcia has helped launch two invasions of Iraq, served as a vital landing spot for bombers that fly missions across Asia, and has been linked to US rendition efforts. —Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 20 Jan. 2026

But the governor also devotes several pages to providing his side of the story from the 2024 search for a vice-presidential candidate, after Harris wrote a detailed account of the traditionally secretive process, which included a less-than-warm meeting with Shapiro. —Toluse Olorunnipa, The Atlantic, 19 Jan. 2026

Instead, most analysts point to tech giant Huawei and its secretive chip unit, HiSilicon, as standing out among domestic competition, not only in technological advancement, but also in scale and its broader supply chain. —Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 15 Jan. 2026