as in privately
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
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Recent Examples of secretly
Investigators accuse him of coercing middle school football players to perform nude exercises in a locker room and secretly photographing them in various stages of undress.
—
Amelia Mugavero, CBS News, 13 Jan. 2026
In the penultimate episode, Zoe becomes the latest victim, while a flashback to Anna’s 16th birthday finds the girls partying in the woods, when a bunch of older boys show up, which was secretly arranged by Rachel.
—Derek Lawrence, HollywoodReporter, 12 Jan. 2026
The two-time Oscar nominee secretly trained in table tennis for years to prepare for leading the movie.
—Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 12 Jan. 2026
There is so much energy in Falk’s writing that the reader can feel tensions in the city as officials, some working secretly with the bosses, try to stop the cigar factory women from organizing, call them Communists and demean them for being Polish.
—Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 11 Jan. 2026
The show’s original pair of fathers, who secretly trick their children into falling in love by pretending to be in a feud, will instead be mothers.
—Richard Johnson, New York Daily News, 11 Jan. 2026
Thanks again to the Sun Sentinel for keeping the spotlight on the stuff that secretly happens in our local governments!
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 10 Jan. 2026
The retailer is filled with Kipling travel bags secretly on sale for up to 55 percent off.
—Michelle Baricevic, Travel + Leisure, 9 Jan. 2026
In the not-so-deep corners of the internet, some people believe that Kendall Jenner has secretly been a lesbian all along.
—Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 9 Jan. 2026
Amelia Mugavero, CBS News, 13 Jan. 2026
In the penultimate episode, Zoe becomes the latest victim, while a flashback to Anna’s 16th birthday finds the girls partying in the woods, when a bunch of older boys show up, which was secretly arranged by Rachel.
—Derek Lawrence, HollywoodReporter, 12 Jan. 2026
The two-time Oscar nominee secretly trained in table tennis for years to prepare for leading the movie.
—Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 12 Jan. 2026
There is so much energy in Falk’s writing that the reader can feel tensions in the city as officials, some working secretly with the bosses, try to stop the cigar factory women from organizing, call them Communists and demean them for being Polish.
—Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 11 Jan. 2026
The show’s original pair of fathers, who secretly trick their children into falling in love by pretending to be in a feud, will instead be mothers.
—Richard Johnson, New York Daily News, 11 Jan. 2026
Thanks again to the Sun Sentinel for keeping the spotlight on the stuff that secretly happens in our local governments!
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 10 Jan. 2026
The retailer is filled with Kipling travel bags secretly on sale for up to 55 percent off.
—Michelle Baricevic, Travel + Leisure, 9 Jan. 2026
In the not-so-deep corners of the internet, some people believe that Kendall Jenner has secretly been a lesbian all along.
—Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 9 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for secretly
Adverb
-
Is there anybody here who has spoken about the transfer market with me on the phone or privately in text messages over the summer or this winter?—
James Horncastle,
New York Times,
13 Jan. 2026
-
The company has remained privately owned, and according to its founder, is focused on nationwide e-commerce operations — and on expanding the brand beyond sweets.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Jan. 2026
Adverb
-
Zeoli noted that when working confidentially with a business, there must be patience and discretion used.—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Zepto Indian quick-commerce startup Zepto has confidentially filed for an initial public offering, according to a public notice issued by the company on Sunday.—
Priyanka Salve,
CNBC,
29 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Secretly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/secretly. Accessed 17 Jan. 2026.
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