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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in secrecy
the practice or habit of keeping secrets or keeping one's affairs secret
his secretiveness about his past always made some people suspicious of what he might be hiding
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of secretive
Doc Louallen, ABC News, 25 Apr. 2025
Julius’s secretive couplings with a Latino gambler (Diego Calva) are discreet, never sensual like Hernández’s nude compositions.
—Armond White, National Review, 25 Apr. 2025
Although the story is fictional, the movie does offer some insight into the highly secretive voting process the Roman Catholic Church utilizes to choose a new pontiff.
—Jade Walker, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2025
The next pope will be selected during conclave, a secretive gathering of cardinals from all over the world.
—Nia Dumas, NPR, 22 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for secretive
Adjective
The Oscar-winning 2024 movie, which explores the secretive process of selecting a new pope, has seen a surge in viewership following the pontiff's death.
—Doc Louallen, ABC News, 25 Apr. 2025
Julius’s secretive couplings with a Latino gambler (Diego Calva) are discreet, never sensual like Hernández’s nude compositions.
—Armond White, National Review, 25 Apr. 2025
Although the story is fictional, the movie does offer some insight into the highly secretive voting process the Roman Catholic Church utilizes to choose a new pontiff.
—Jade Walker, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2025
The next pope will be selected during conclave, a secretive gathering of cardinals from all over the world.
—Nia Dumas, NPR, 22 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for secretive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for secretive
Adjective
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Even more telling, there was virtually no difference in data consumption, battery use, and background activity between the audio room tests and the silent room tests.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
24 Apr. 2025
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The trick now is knowing where to go and which Muay Thai boxing schools, silent monasteries, or health spas to choose.—
Lee Cobaj,
Robb Report,
24 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Ars Video United Launch Alliance ended its live video coverage of the mission a few minutes after the launch at the request of Amazon, which insisted on a level of secrecy normally reserved for spy satellites.—
Alex Goy,
ArsTechnica,
29 Apr. 2025
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Politics After decades of secrecy, the 'Ghost Army' is honored for saving U.S. lives in WWII Their legacy has also been honored in books and movies, including a 2019 documentary and a 2024 movie, directed by Tyler Perry and starring Kerry Washington as Adams.—
Rachel Treisman,
NPR,
29 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The present-day Affleck and titular accountant from The Accountant 2 seems to briefly reach out and touch the Sad Affleck of days of yore in this final memory, his eyes almost misty and voice quiet.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
28 Apr. 2025
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And while Bicester Heritage acts as a quiet and calm but highly productive group of car-adjacent businesses during the week, the Scramble sees thousands of gearheads descend.—
Alistair Charlton,
Forbes.com,
28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Melania Trump wears black veil to Pope Francis' funeral as President Trump dons blue suit As the president's second term in office passes the 100-day mark, here is a closer look at the first lady's lookbook.—
Jay Stahl,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2025
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Orioles closer Félix Bautista then put the Yankees, who went 3-for-11 with runners in scoring position and left nine men on, down in the ninth.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
29 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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But the mayor was reticent Friday, saying safety could be achieved without an outright ban on non-essential helicopter travel.—
Chris Sommerfeldt,
New York Daily News,
11 Apr. 2025
-
Unlike Molly, who's politely reticent and reluctant to speak up for herself, Nikki can't resist expressing her anger and sorrow—or, more precisely, dramatizing them for whatever audience of oncologists happens to be in range.—
Dory Jackson,
People.com,
4 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
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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
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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
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Infused with glutathione, vitamin C, and niacinamide, they’re formulated to brighten hyperpigmentation and dark spots, all while improving uneven skin tone and reviving dull skin.—
Denise Primbet,
Glamour,
28 Apr. 2025
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Shows this dark need moments of beauty, and this episode provided those in spades.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
28 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Secretive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/secretive. Accessed 6 May. 2025.
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