1
as in silent
given to keeping one's activities hidden from public observation or knowledge
he remained closemouthed about their activities
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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
By and large, this is a secretive, closemouthed group of individuals who want nothing more than to say little and share even less.
—Paul Myerberg, USA TODAY, 3 July 2018
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
By and large, this is a secretive, closemouthed group of individuals who want nothing more than to say little and share even less.
—Paul Myerberg, USA TODAY, 3 July 2018
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
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The writer was directed to a secret Disney warehouse where he was confronted with a Baby Yoda robot that was able to respond to him, including seeming disappointed when the writer was silent.—
William Lambers,
Newsweek,
8 Mar. 2025
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Jun Reina, a former general manager of Capital Public Radio and a central figure in the station’s financial woes, has largely remained silent as questions mounted over a scathing audit’s findings of questionable expenses and financial mismanagement.—
Ishani Desai,
Sacramento Bee,
6 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Every Wednesday night, Erika Hernandez's home has an open door—and a reserved seat—for her late son's best friend.—
Russel Honoré,
Newsweek,
5 Mar. 2025
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Members of the State Department's diplomatic corps have a reserved section.—
Javier Zarracina,
USA TODAY,
3 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Starmer’s deal would send the island chain to Mauritius, a former British colony and current close ally of China.—
Naomi Lim,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
28 Feb. 2025
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People who met at book club have gone on to become close friends and even roommates, Mitchell tells Axios.—
Ashley Mahoney,
Axios,
28 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Ratajkowski has been fighting the stereotype of the dumb model from the beginning of her career.—
Daniel Jackson,
Allure,
18 July 2017
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Ninety nine percent of all NFL players are explicitly not dumb.—
Andy Benoit,
The MMQB,
10 July 2017
Adjective
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The United States Space Force released a rare photo of its secretive X-37B space plane in orbit.—
Stepheny Price,
Fox News,
25 Feb. 2025
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Meanwhile, Walter has joined the exclusive Stepford Men's Association and becomes increasingly secretive and distant.—
Ars Technica,
Ars Technica,
23 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The commissioner’s restrained view of the FTC’s mission was inconsistent with Roosevelt’s policy agenda, which was the reason the president gave for dismissing him.—
Jacob Sullum,
Orange County Register,
24 Feb. 2025
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Though the Franco-American relationship had cooled by then, Trump and Macron shook hands in a somewhat restrained manner. 2024: The Shake Seen Around The World Last December, Trump, Macron and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met in Paris ahead of the reopening of the Notre-Dame Cathedral.—
Matt Robison,
Newsweek,
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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Their hushed quiet was unmatched, their attention to detail legendary.—
Raphael Orlove,
Robb Report,
27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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To the extent that this is the case, why would New Mexico be reticent to have New Mexico State join the Mountain West?—
Jon Wilner,
The Mercury News,
28 Feb. 2025
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There’s a couple of reasons for Utah being reticent to sell.—
Pierre LeBrun,
The Athletic,
26 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Closemouthed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/closemouthed. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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