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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Recent Examples of secretive
Working in the secretive organization of Night Action at the same time propelled him into a world where danger is everywhere and trust is in short supply.
—
Matt Grobar, Deadline, 31 Jan. 2025
Though her identity is not at first known to Benedict, the woman turns out to be Sophie Baek, a secretive maid with big dreams.
—Claire Franken, TVLine, 14 Feb. 2025
North Korea has sent munitions, missiles and fighters to Russia, raising speculation that the Kremlin has agreed to share weapons technology with the secretive nation as well as economic aid.
—Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 9 Feb. 2025
Walt Disney: The First Imagineer Feb. 21 Former Imagineer Tom Morris will recount the birth in 1952 of WED Enterprises — the precursor to Walt Disney Imagineering, the secretive creative laboratory where theme park designers create Disney’s fantasy worlds and attractions.
—Brady MacDonald, Orange County Register, 6 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for secretive
Matt Grobar, Deadline, 31 Jan. 2025
Though her identity is not at first known to Benedict, the woman turns out to be Sophie Baek, a secretive maid with big dreams.
—Claire Franken, TVLine, 14 Feb. 2025
North Korea has sent munitions, missiles and fighters to Russia, raising speculation that the Kremlin has agreed to share weapons technology with the secretive nation as well as economic aid.
—Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 9 Feb. 2025
Walt Disney: The First Imagineer Feb. 21 Former Imagineer Tom Morris will recount the birth in 1952 of WED Enterprises — the precursor to Walt Disney Imagineering, the secretive creative laboratory where theme park designers create Disney’s fantasy worlds and attractions.
—Brady MacDonald, Orange County Register, 6 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for secretive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for secretive
Adjective
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The film investigates the silent epidemic of CRSV in Ukraine, a subject long shrouded in stigma.—
Lise Pedersen,
Variety,
24 Feb. 2025
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Mello was succeeded by Pete Garcia, who ran FIU athletics from 2006 to 2021, and, during that time, the Hall of Fame remained silent.—
Walter Villa,
Miami Herald,
24 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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So rather than maintain the quiet, peaceful sleep environment any young child needs, her daughter found her serenity disrupted by the sound of her mom crashing to the floor having tried to sit on a chair that simply wasn't there.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
27 Feb. 2025
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The Holmdel building was the next step, a gleaming, impeccable prism meant to contain thousands of scientists in splendid quiet isolation.—
Christopher Bonanos,
Curbed,
27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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But longtime close watchers of Epstein and his legal ordeal made the case in a series of posts on X that such a list may never emerge.—
Chad de Guzman,
TIME,
28 Feb. 2025
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Improvements encompass a new conference center on the north end, elevated seating, closer premium seating, and the new scoreboard.—
Tammy Ljungblad,
Kansas City Star,
28 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Biggest obstacles: Even though finding another Garrett in the draft is unlikely, the 49ers are probably reticent to give up that much draft capital.—
Jerry McDonald,
The Mercury News,
19 Feb. 2025
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Ng’s father is reticent about his immigration story.—
Jane Hu,
The New Yorker,
23 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Some supporters felt their club had become too corporate, too cold and too uncommunicative.—
Greg O'Keeffe,
The Athletic,
20 Dec. 2024
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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
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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
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The fire broke out when the bus was on the corner of Cambridge and Northampton roads in the Cleveland area, filling the suburban street with a dark cloud of smoke.—
Kyla Guilfoil,
NBC News,
27 Feb. 2025
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But doctors have begun to suspect that this year's flu season—the most severe in over 15 years—has taken a yet darker turn for children.—
Ars Technica,
Ars Technica,
27 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Secretive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/secretive. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
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