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
-
While current work on the development is silent, crews are only waiting for county permits to build, the developer said.—
Larry Seward,
Miami Herald,
13 Feb. 2026
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History has shown us time and again that meaningful change often begins when young people refuse to stay silent.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Máxima and the recovery of an icon With the arrival of Queen Máxima to the throne, the sapphire tiara regained a prominence that seemed reserved for other eras.—
Marta Martínez Tato,
Vanity Fair,
13 Feb. 2026
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Low-key and reserved on and off the course, the 23-year-old rarely betrays emotion.—
Edgar Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Over the years, Grey and Pollan have remained close, often supporting one another through personal and professional milestones.—
Danielle Minnetian,
FOXNews.com,
10 Feb. 2026
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The bus depot is two stories beneath the train platform and several blocks from the closest stairway.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
And then quite a bit of dumb bits, like really dumb bits.—
Eric Ducker,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Feb. 2026
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The multi-vehicle pile-up that ensues might go even dumber than a Rusko drop, yet there’s no escaping the anxiety that remains in the static hiss that closes the track.—
James Gui,
Pitchfork,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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For the secretive billionaire Besnier family, the recent recall of potentially dangerous infant formula made by its nearly century-old firm brings an uncomfortable feeling of deja vu.—
Tara Patel,
Fortune,
5 Feb. 2026
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And there was a special thrill in the idea that the CIA, a famously secretive organization, was the one providing it to you.—
David A. Graham,
The Atlantic,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Hours after Pretti was shot dead while restrained and kneeling, Leon Virden and one of his sons joined a protest near the scene.—
Natasha Korecki,
NBC news,
14 Feb. 2026
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Beatrix, first as crown princess and later as queen, continued to use the tiara, although with a more restrained use, often combining it with other pieces of the ensemble or reserving it for very specific diplomatic appointments.—
Marta Martínez Tato,
Vanity Fair,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Frontcourt production would rely on the Brazile-Richmond-Pringle trio again, should Ewin have a second quiet performance in a row.—
Matt Byrne,
Arkansas Online,
9 Feb. 2026
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Meghan Markle forwent her usual quiet luxury style for Old Hollywood glamour in a custom Harbison Studio dress at the annual Fifteen Percent Pledge Fundraising Gala Honoring Tina Knowles on Saturday night in Los Angeles.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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In a video tribute before the game, which featured Ullmark’s comments expressing why athletes are reticent to speak on mental health, before complimenting Senators fans, those same fans delivered tributes and welcome-backs.—
Julian McKenzie,
New York Times,
1 Feb. 2026
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That Bamford might be a bit reticent to share more about her life, despite the open nature of her stand-up act, is understandable, but any nerves are soon put way at ease.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Closemouthed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/closemouthed. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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