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

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 secretive What began as a bold democratic intervention into the secretive world of policing has become, in too many jurisdictions, a hollow performance. Hansel Alejandro Aguilar, Mercury News, 6 Sep. 2025 The Secret Order gives us a teensy peek at the secretive supernatural watchdog agency through the eyes of new recruit Guy Anatole (Nicholas Denton), who appears to be able to hear people’s thoughts. Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025 The six-episode first season focuses on a secretive society called the Talamasca, which is responsible for tracking and containing the witches, vampires, and other creatures scattered around the globe. Lynette Rice, Deadline, 4 Sep. 2025 This type of unvarnished discourse is refreshing in a game filled with dishonesty, spin, and secretive media briefings. Zak Garner-Purkis, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for secretive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for secretive
Adjective
  • Owners also must have measures in place to ensure that cannabis is not stolen or diverted, including programs to track each piece of cannabis that enters and leaves their store, as well as more traditional security systems, such as video-surveillance systems and a silent alarm.
    Nicholas Florko, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2025
  • If any police ask you questions ask for a lawyer and stay silent.
    Joshua Rhett Miller Jesus Mesa Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • On highways and surface roads in the rural countryside west of Detroit, the 2025 Ford Explorer was smooth and quiet, with plenty of power for highway acceleration.
    Mark Phelan, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
  • The peak of hurricane season is here, and activity could soon ramp up, despite the relative quiet currently occurring in the tropics, according to meteorologists.
    Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • He was acquired, along with closer Victor Vodnik, in a July 2023 trade with the Braves for reliever Pierce Johnson.
    Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 17 Sep. 2025
  • In the last fortnight alone, Starmer's Deputy Prime Minister and close ally Angela Rayner has resigned after a house tax scandal, triggering a major cabinet reshuffle.
    Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 17 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • In the past, Wintour has seemed reticent to discuss it all.
    Lisa Respers France, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2025
  • And when at 1587 Prime, Mahomes won’t be reticent about asking for ketchup.
    Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Throughout the show, Conrad is forgiven by fans for being uncommunicative and avoidant.
    Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 29 Aug. 2025
  • Where Tammy proves no more fortunate than Patti is in her choice of husband: David, distant and uncommunicative, is having an affair with his office assistant, Narcedalia (Dascha Polanco).
    Justin Chang, New Yorker, 22 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • There’s also the closemouthed, menacing technician who lives on a houseboat and raises snakes; the actress first hired for the show’s leading part who dropped out of the role before shooting began; and the unknown burglar who fled the frightened player’s house.
    Tom Nolan, WSJ, 23 Dec. 2022
  • Hutton’s gaptoothed smile replaced the closemouthed gaze and white eyeliner of Vogue models of the 1960s.
    Washington Post, Washington Post, 25 Dec. 2021
Adjective
  • The night serum visibly smooths wrinkles, reduces fine lines, and soothes the appearance of dark circles and uneven skin tone.
    Gabriela Izquierdo, Southern Living, 17 Sep. 2025
  • The scent is smoky yet sweet, spicy yet smooth, dark but with an underlying lightness—the result of combining clean white musk with rose, tobacco, suede, and cumin.
    Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Secretive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/secretive. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.

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