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
The secretive communist nation covered the would-be warship with a blue tarp.
—
Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 24 May 2025
In The Final Reckoning, the actor portrays a character named Captain Bledsoe, who operates a secretive U.S. submarine and plays a pivotal role in Ethan Hunt's quest to stop the movie's artificial intelligence villain, known as the Entity.
—Tommy McArdle, People.com, 23 May 2025
Josh O’Connor, as the outwardly brash but inwardly secretive and vulnerable David, makes his presence felt in every scene.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 21 May 2025
The Italian magazine il Giornale got hold of some of the first reports of intrigue from the secretive conclave that selected Leo as the first American pope on Thursday.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 10 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for secretive
Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 24 May 2025
In The Final Reckoning, the actor portrays a character named Captain Bledsoe, who operates a secretive U.S. submarine and plays a pivotal role in Ethan Hunt's quest to stop the movie's artificial intelligence villain, known as the Entity.
—Tommy McArdle, People.com, 23 May 2025
Josh O’Connor, as the outwardly brash but inwardly secretive and vulnerable David, makes his presence felt in every scene.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 21 May 2025
The Italian magazine il Giornale got hold of some of the first reports of intrigue from the secretive conclave that selected Leo as the first American pope on Thursday.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 10 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for secretive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for secretive
Adjective
-
While Sanabria Tarazona’s family has remained silent out of fear Prieto has publicly denounced his detention and urged U.S. authorities to reconsider.—
Verónica Egui Brito,
Miami Herald,
13 June 2025
-
But most Republicans remained silent, or accused Padilla of being a provocateur.—
James Rainey,
Los Angeles Times,
13 June 2025
Adjective
-
The drama division had been relatively quiet for a period but suddenly found its stride in the past year with a string of buzzy commissions that will now mostly air under new leadership.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
3 June 2025
-
As romantic distractions fall away, the quiet also makes way for freedom.—
Faith Hill,
The Atlantic,
2 June 2025
Adjective
-
The likelihood of lightning increases as a thunderstorm gets closer and reaches its highest point when the storm is directly overhead.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
4 June 2025
-
Numerous outlets have already reported on how close Barca is to landing breakout 2024/2025 La Liga star Joan Garcia from Espanyol, which could complicate Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s future as Hansi Flick’s first choice goalkeeper.—
Tom Sanderson,
Forbes.com,
4 June 2025
Adjective
-
State and local officials were reticent to weigh in on what the mortgage sale could mean for the Fiserv deal.—
Taylor O’Connor,
Kansas City Star,
30 May 2025
-
Among the three, the Raptors have an accurate but reticent 3-point shooter (Ingram), an average shooter at OK frequency (Barrett) and a bad one (Barnes).—
Eric Koreen,
New York Times,
9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Some supporters felt their club had become too corporate, too cold and too uncommunicative.—
Greg O'Keeffe,
The Athletic,
20 Dec. 2024
-
Often, a less qualified candidate who displays high energy and eagerness can outshine a more qualified individual who appears disinterested and uncommunicative.—
Jack Kelly,
Forbes,
25 Nov. 2024
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
-
Lights with a lower temperature tend to be a warmer, more yellow shade that may look dim in dark garages.—
Molly Blanco,
Better Homes & Gardens,
3 June 2025
-
Both were crucial mental health resources during that dark time, and both found a wider embrace online for their niche comic sensibilities.—
Charles McNulty,
Los Angeles Times,
3 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Secretive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/secretive. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share