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
Talya Minsberg, New York Times, 9 May 2025
According to Politico, some of the voters watched the 2024 Ralph Fiennes film to prepare for the complex and secretive proceedings.
—David Matthews, New York Daily News, 7 May 2025
Although the voting takes place behind closed doors and is notoriously secretive, this longstanding tradition is a way to inform the public of the outcome of the vote.
—Rachel Raposas, People.com, 7 May 2025
The secretive nature of the conclave and the interplay of ideology, geography and Church politics make predicting the next pope inherently uncertain, even when certain cardinals appear prominent on paper.
—Barney Henderson, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for secretive
Adjective
The highly choreographed and secretive process of electing a pope technically came to an end when Pope Leo XIV was introduced on Thursday.
—Talya Minsberg, New York Times, 9 May 2025
According to Politico, some of the voters watched the 2024 Ralph Fiennes film to prepare for the complex and secretive proceedings.
—David Matthews, New York Daily News, 7 May 2025
Although the voting takes place behind closed doors and is notoriously secretive, this longstanding tradition is a way to inform the public of the outcome of the vote.
—Rachel Raposas, People.com, 7 May 2025
The secretive nature of the conclave and the interplay of ideology, geography and Church politics make predicting the next pope inherently uncertain, even when certain cardinals appear prominent on paper.
—Barney Henderson, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for secretive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for secretive
Adjective
-
While the Trump administration was silent on the details of the document, a New York Times report described it as merely a list of bullet points, not a full draft, citing four officials familiar with the negotiations.—
Zach LaChance,
The Washington Examiner,
1 June 2025
-
Proenza Schouler leans toward a silent gesture with its mint green terry dress.—
Alex Sales,
Glamour,
31 May 2025
Noun
-
This can be examined from the perspective of both production methods and content and aesthetic discussions: underground cinema is produced without the approval of the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance, often filmed in secrecy and distributed through foreign festivals or the internet.—
Ali Farahmand,
IndieWire,
23 May 2025
-
It was put together with staggering speed to maintain secrecy.—
Caroline Reid,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2025
Adjective
-
Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, Illinois Set in the quiet prairie lands south of Chicago, this cemetery is one of the largest in the Midwest.—
Staff report,
Hartford Courant,
22 May 2025
-
Until this point, Gilgeous-Alexander has displayed a quiet form of leadership during his NBA career.—
Mark LaSota,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2025
Adjective
-
Among the close friends and family celebrating were Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban.—
Rachel Flynn,
People.com,
24 May 2025
-
After the close, discount retailer Miniso Group (9896 HK, MSO US) missed Q1 estimates while online travel agency Tongcheng (780 HK) beat analyst expectations for Q1.—
Brendan Ahern,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2025
Adjective
-
Short of a large-scale threat to its homeland or the collapse of its military, a nuclear-armed state will likely remain reticent to deploy nuclear weapons against a nonnuclear rival.—
Paul Avey,
Foreign Affairs,
6 Mar. 2025
-
But his administration is hardly reticent about denouncing other countries’ internal conduct.—
Jonathan Chait,
The Atlantic,
16 May 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
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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
-
His dark worldview is premised on the pessimistic presumption that the world will turn on the Jews if given the chance, which is why the Israeli leader has long prized hard power over diplomatic understandings.—
Yair Rosenberg,
The Atlantic,
22 May 2025
-
The videos look just like the photos, with unnatural colors and visible noise, especially in dark environments.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
22 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Secretive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/secretive. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.
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