secrecy

noun

se·​cre·​cy ˈsē-krə-sē 

plural secrecies

1

: the condition of being hidden or concealed

2

: the habit or practice of keeping secrets or maintaining privacy or concealment

Synonyms of secrecy

• secretiveness

Examples of secrecy in a Sentence

this administration's steadfast adherence to secrecy is beginning to cost it the trust of the voters

Recent Examples on the Web

Left in the dark Early in the pandemic, Florida was determined to keep a lid of secrecy on the spread of COVID-19 in long-term care facilities. —Kevin G. Hall, Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025

Many of the Louvre’s purchases are clouded in a certain secrecy, particularly regarding the purchase price. —Joseph Ataman, CNN Money, 6 Nov. 2025

Despite the secrecy, about 40 masked agitators found the venue and forced their way inside, breaking glass and attacking participants. —Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 6 Nov. 2025

The outcome could set a precedent for how far courts can go in easing logistical burdens on defendants in sensitive-information cases without compromising government secrecy. —Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

alteration of earlier secretie, from Middle English secretee, from secret secret

First Known Use

1556, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing secrecy

• anti-secrecy
• swear (someone) to secrecy
• swear to secrecy

Kids Definition

secrecy

noun

se·​cre·​cy ˈsē-krə-sē 

plural secrecies

1

: the habit of keeping secrets : secretiveness

2

: the quality or state of being hidden or concealed