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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Starting in 1910, the company served as the secretive supplier to the commandos of the Italian Navy, starting out crafting precision instruments such as gun sights and luminescent compasses before creating its first watches in 1935.
—
Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2025
Arbitration is a secretive process often favored by companies.
—Miami Herald, 9 Oct. 2025
The encounter by Canadian aircraft monitoring these vessels with Chinese aircraft points to both Beijing’s backing of the secretive state and its belligerence in the wider region.
—Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Oct. 2025
The Financial Times reported the secretive device may be palm-sized, without a screen.
—Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 7 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for secretive
Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2025
Arbitration is a secretive process often favored by companies.
—Miami Herald, 9 Oct. 2025
The encounter by Canadian aircraft monitoring these vessels with Chinese aircraft points to both Beijing’s backing of the secretive state and its belligerence in the wider region.
—Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Oct. 2025
The Financial Times reported the secretive device may be palm-sized, without a screen.
—Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 7 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for secretive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for secretive
Adjective
-
Later, when Doyle comes into some mysterious bags of cash, and heads toward the mainland with a bottle of booze, a boat, and one last chance to go out in a blaze of self-immolation, Farrell manages to mix dread and adrenaline into every silent expression.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
14 Oct. 2025
-
James Cook was kept relatively silent in this game with 87 yards on 17 carries.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
14 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The Seattle crowd that exploded in the first was quiet.—
Mitch Bannon,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
-
The three-bedroom property features quintessentially Scandi details like wide plank flooring and high ceilings, and the balcony comes equipped with sofas for quiet coffees in the morning light.—
Nicole Kliest,
Vogue,
15 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
What to Know For Dedication Night, a family member or close friend will join each celebrity for their dedication dance.—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Oct. 2025
-
The Andromeda Galaxy The Andromeda Galaxy lies almost directly overhead in the hours surrounding midnight on October nights, presenting a perfect opportunity to observe the Milky Way's closest neighbor without the atmospheric interference that comes from being close to the horizon.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
14 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
His first foray into retail for the brand was a pop-up in London in 2008, and many British customers were reticent about the price point, even though the product was wholly made in England.—
Rhonda Richford,
Footwear News,
19 Oct. 2025
-
Hunter is understandably reticent to discuss the video’s aftermath, preferring to focus on the singer himself.—
Jason Newman,
Rolling Stone,
15 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Whenever Conrad was at his most uncommunicative and avoidant, Jeremiah was waiting in the wings to offer uncomplicated affection and himbo charm.—
Ben Rosenstock,
Vulture,
17 Sep. 2025
-
Throughout the show, Conrad is forgiven by fans for being uncommunicative and avoidant.—
Alyssa Goldberg,
USA Today,
29 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
-
Kennedy sought the advice of doctors after dealing with severe memory loss and brain fog, reportedly leading to a scan of his brain that showed a dark spot in the imagery.—
Angel Saunders,
PEOPLE,
15 Oct. 2025
-
Instantly, her apartment faded away, to be replaced by a dark void.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
14 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Secretive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/secretive. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share