1
as in silent
given to keeping one's activities hidden from public observation or knowledge
he remained closemouthed about their activities
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in reserved
tending not to speak frequently (as by habit or inclination)
encourage the closemouthed children to speak up and not be shy
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Recent Examples of closemouthed
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
Hutton’s gaptoothed smile replaced the closemouthed gaze and white eyeliner of Vogue models of the 1960s.
—Washington Post, 25 Dec. 2021
Ever since the couple pulled up stakes and moved away from the United Kingdom in March, their new spokespeople have been even more closemouthed.
—Maria Puente, USA TODAY, 15 Sep. 2020
Led by Vice President Temer, whose cryptic, closemouthed demeanor has his rivals comparing him to a butler in a horror movie, the centrists anchoring Ms. Rousseff’s coalition broke away last week.
—Simon Romero, New York Times, 3 Apr. 2016
Tom Nolan, WSJ, 23 Dec. 2022
Hutton’s gaptoothed smile replaced the closemouthed gaze and white eyeliner of Vogue models of the 1960s.
—Washington Post, 25 Dec. 2021
Ever since the couple pulled up stakes and moved away from the United Kingdom in March, their new spokespeople have been even more closemouthed.
—Maria Puente, USA TODAY, 15 Sep. 2020
Led by Vice President Temer, whose cryptic, closemouthed demeanor has his rivals comparing him to a butler in a horror movie, the centrists anchoring Ms. Rousseff’s coalition broke away last week.
—Simon Romero, New York Times, 3 Apr. 2016
Recent Examples of Synonyms for closemouthed
Adjective
-
Both sides are silent right now, but a release from the WGA and the AMPTP is expected soon(ish).—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
4 Apr. 2026
-
But the most impactful force on the court could be the silent, invisible sixth man – the mind gym.—
Haley Sawyer,
Daily News,
4 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
May is the most reserved of the four coaches, but lets his players get emotional on the court without trying to rein them in, trusting them to play under control.—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Mar. 2026
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Add American cheese, remaining 1 cup cheddar, and reserved soaking water; stir vigorously until most of the cheese is melted (some small lumps of cheese will remain and that is OK) and water is absorbed.—
Cathy Thomas,
Oc Register,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Nevada County’s admission comes as AI programs are under close watch around the globe for introducing incorrect legal references in cases, yet also increasingly offered as tools to help lawyers and judges research and write their briefs, motions and opinions.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
1 Apr. 2026
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Catcher Danny Jansen hit a three-run home run in the seventh inning to bust open a close game, and the Rangers held on for an 8-5 road win over the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday.—
Jim Barnes,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
And Lorenzen delivering this stink bomb made the 48,366 in attendance feel as dumb as rocks for braving the cold.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
4 Apr. 2026
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Well, dumber isn’t quite right — and is only meant affectionately by Grabinski himself.—
Sarah Shachat,
IndieWire,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The freshman series focused on a secretive society called the Talamasca, composed of the men and women responsible for tracking and containing the witches, vampires, and other creatures scattered around the globe.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
27 Mar. 2026
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Still, 10 years ago, plastic surgery was far more secretive even among members of the LDS community.—
Elizabeth Gulino,
Allure,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Even within a restrained palette, a strong silhouette can shift the entire room.—
Angelika Pokovba,
Martha Stewart,
3 Apr. 2026
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Ashe is a rocket ship that can’t be reined in, and watching the restrained, comparably rational Coop try to lasso him is reliably entertaining.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Maybe quiet parenting, like quiet quitting and quiet luxury before it, could catch on as a meme among key influencers.—
Jessica Winter,
New Yorker,
7 Apr. 2026
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Dan Campbell said the quiet part out loud, a bit unprompted, when asked about his confidence level in potentially moving star right tackle Penei Sewell to left tackle.—
Colton Pouncy,
New York Times,
7 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Even with an Israel-Hamas ceasefire in place, the container shipping industry was largely reticent about returning to the Red Sea on a regular basis.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
31 Mar. 2026
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In 2019, while serving as regional superintendent for the Palm Beach County district, Licata managed a controversy after the principal at Spanish River Community High School appeared reticent to acknowledge the Holocaust as a historical fact during an email exchange with a parent.—
Matthew Adams,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
24 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Closemouthed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/closemouthed. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.
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