secret 1 of 2

1
as in confidence
information shared only with another or with a select few you didn't really expect him to keep a secret from his wife, did you?

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2
as in mystery
something hard to understand or explain the secrets of the Egyptian pyramids include the construction methods used to lift the huge blocks of stone in place

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3

secret

2 of 2

adjective

1
2
as in undercover
working on missions in which one's objectives, activities, or true identity are not publicly revealed secret agents whose wartime exploits were known only by top government officials

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3
as in secluded
screened or sequestered from view a secret cave that is screened by trees

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4

Synonym Chooser

How is the word secret distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of secret are clandestine, covert, furtive, stealthy, surreptitious, and underhanded. While all these words mean "done without attracting observation," secret implies concealment on any grounds for any motive.

met at a secret location

When would clandestine be a good substitute for secret?

While the synonyms clandestine and secret are close in meaning, clandestine implies secrecy usually for an evil, illicit, or unauthorized purpose and often emphasizes the fear of being discovered.

a clandestine meeting of conspirators

In what contexts can covert take the place of secret?

In some situations, the words covert and secret are roughly equivalent. However, covert stresses the fact of not being open or declared.

covert intelligence operations

When is furtive a more appropriate choice than secret?

The synonyms furtive and secret are sometimes interchangeable, but furtive implies a sly or cautious stealthiness.

lovers exchanging furtive glances

When is it sensible to use stealthy instead of secret?

The words stealthy and secret can be used in similar contexts, but stealthy suggests taking pains to avoid being seen or heard especially in some misdoing.

the stealthy step of a burglar

Where would surreptitious be a reasonable alternative to secret?

The words surreptitious and secret are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, surreptitious applies to action or behavior done secretly often with skillful avoidance of detection and in violation of custom, law, or authority.

the surreptitious stockpiling of weapons

When could underhanded be used to replace secret?

While in some cases nearly identical to secret, underhanded stresses fraud or deception.

an underhanded trick

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of secret
Noun
Ritter will recur as Mia Lapierre, a renowned sommelier who may be hiding a serial killer secret. Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 27 Feb. 2025 Sleep researchers said that fiber and protein intake was positively associated with improved sleep quality Comments Scientists in Japan may have uncovered the secret to getting a good night's sleep. Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 26 Feb. 2025
Adjective
Meghan Markle's major Netflix launch risks being overshadowed by a lawsuit over Prince Harry's visa records as previously secret documents are due to be released. David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Feb. 2025 To this day, woodlands across the Americas bear the secret signs of centuries of Indigenous life. Amelia Soth, JSTOR Daily, 27 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for secret
Recent Examples of Synonyms for secret
Noun
  • To Boost Investment Confidence Behavioral finance research suggests that small, incremental investment steps can help build confidence over time.
    Odiri Oginni, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2025
  • Season Two will find the characters having more confidence and readying themselves as a potential war becomes an increasing threat.
    Kalia Richardson, Rolling Stone, 24 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Read: The mystery writer S.A. Cosby made a list of his favorite tales of the human monsters who wait for us in the dark.
    Emmett Lindner, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2025
  • But Conclave was so interesting and exciting in a completely different way — and fun, with a little mystery involved.
    The Hollywood Reporter, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Inside those packets were a total of three guns, 29 rounds of ammunition, 19 tools (saw blades, security bits, screwdrivers, handcuff keys, etc.).
    Keith Sharon, USA TODAY, 20 Feb. 2025
  • The key is not to avoid conflict but rather to improve skills and mindset to use it as a tool for success.
    Dileep Marway, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • The criminal charges also allege Navarro and Worden ensured that no invoice related to the clandestine construction surpassed $3,000, a threshold that would have required further authorization from Caltrain and TransAmerica Services Inc., the company that employed Worden.
    Robert Salonga, The Mercury News, 28 Feb. 2025
  • Information in federal systems includes Treasury payments that could be used to figure out the details of intelligence programs or health and personnel records that could reveal the identities of agents or the responsibilities of clandestine officers.
    DAVID KLEPPER THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, arkansasonline.com, 28 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Based on an incident that had happened 10 years earlier, the book chronicles the harrowing story of two undercover LAPD patrol officers who are kidnapped during a routine traffic stop that goes horribly wrong.
    Chris Koseluk, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Feb. 2025
  • Russo turned stool pigeon within a month of his November 2017 arrest for selling a kilo of cocaine to an undercover agent.
    John Annese, New York Daily News, 26 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Although affluent travelers have traditionally selected luxury hotels and opulent resorts as their preferred choice of accommodations, secluded villas and opulent suites with all the bells and whistles have recently become popular among ultra-high-net-worth individuals.
    Roger Sands, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025
  • The story of a secluded group of siblings who harbor a dark secret, and the local librarian (Taylor-Joy) who forms a bond with them, Marrowbone also features rising stars Mia Goth, George MacKay, Charlie Heaton, and Kyle Soller.
    Matthew Jackson, Vulture, 14 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Encryption And Access Controls: Secure backups with robust encryption and strict access policies to make sure data remains confidential.
    Nick Martin, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025
  • Despite registering a slight improvement, the prognosis remains confidential.
    Anders Hagstrom, Fox News, 26 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Bianca Belair won the 2025 women’s WWE Elimination Chamber match to punch her ticket to WrestleMania 41 but only after her tag team imploded.
    Blake Oestriecher, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2025
  • Meanwhile, The Doctor and Belinda get tickets to the Interstellar Song Contest, an out-of-this-world version of Eurovision, featuring a cameo from the international competition’s commentator Rylan Clark.
    Glenn Garner, Deadline, 2 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Secret.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/secret. Accessed 6 Mar. 2025.

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