Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

secretly

adverb

Synonyms and Antonyms of secretly

in a manner intended to prevent knowledge or awareness by others

  • the girl secretly told her friends about the birthday party so it would be a surprise to the birthday girl
Synonyms of secretly

backstage, confidentially, in camera, intimately, privately
Words Related to secretly

à deux, tête-à-tête

inwardly, sotto voce

offscreen, offstage

clandestinely, collusively, conspiratorially, covertly

furtively, secretively, sneakily, stealthily, surreptitiously, undercover, underground, underhand, underhanded, underhandedly
Phrases Synonymous with secretly

in private
Antonyms of secretly

openly, publicly

Learn More about secretly

  1. Britannica English: Translation of secretly for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up secretly? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show comments hide comments

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games