in private
phrase
1
as in personally
in person and usually privately
Can I please speak with you in private?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in privately
in a manner intended to prevent knowledge or awareness by others
She told me in private that she's been having a hard time adjusting.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 in private
Public Health France said there was a particularly sharp increase week-on-week in the number of deaths in private homes, with those figures up 91%.
—
John Leicester,
Fortune,
3 July 2026
Some officials acknowledge—in private—that politically motivated purges have left the country’s law-enforcement and intelligence agencies understaffed and more prone to mistakes.
—
Shane Harris,
The Atlantic,
3 July 2026
The new vehicle comes as Gulf sovereign wealth funds pour into private credit, attracted by higher yields offered in private markets and undeterred by concerns about rising default rates that have prompted some investors to reduce their exposure.
—
Matthew Martin,
semafor.com,
2 July 2026
Bezos Expeditions is now the most active family office investor thus far this year with eight direct investments in private companies, per Fintrx data.
—
Hayley Cuccinello,
CNBC,
2 July 2026
The legislature approved a $50 million operations endowment, requiring library planners to raise $100 million in private donations, a goal met in 2020.
—
CBS News,
1 July 2026
But if money is no object there are a couple of active travel tour companies that do not even have group trips and specialize only in private bespoke itineraries.
—
Larry Olmsted,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2026
Gustin disputed those accounts, saying detainees are given headphones at intake and that attorney calls typically take place in private booths.
—
Andrea Castillo,
Los Angeles Times,
1 July 2026
Developers’ interest and responsibility ends once they’re cleared to start construction, and uncounted troves of material across the state languish in storage, some in private hands.
—
Andres Viglucci,
Miami Herald,
30 June 2026
John Leicester,
Fortune,
3 July 2026
Some officials acknowledge—in private—that politically motivated purges have left the country’s law-enforcement and intelligence agencies understaffed and more prone to mistakes.
—
Shane Harris,
The Atlantic,
3 July 2026
The new vehicle comes as Gulf sovereign wealth funds pour into private credit, attracted by higher yields offered in private markets and undeterred by concerns about rising default rates that have prompted some investors to reduce their exposure.
—
Matthew Martin,
semafor.com,
2 July 2026
Bezos Expeditions is now the most active family office investor thus far this year with eight direct investments in private companies, per Fintrx data.
—
Hayley Cuccinello,
CNBC,
2 July 2026
The legislature approved a $50 million operations endowment, requiring library planners to raise $100 million in private donations, a goal met in 2020.
—
CBS News,
1 July 2026
But if money is no object there are a couple of active travel tour companies that do not even have group trips and specialize only in private bespoke itineraries.
—
Larry Olmsted,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2026
Gustin disputed those accounts, saying detainees are given headphones at intake and that attorney calls typically take place in private booths.
—
Andrea Castillo,
Los Angeles Times,
1 July 2026
Developers’ interest and responsibility ends once they’re cleared to start construction, and uncounted troves of material across the state languish in storage, some in private hands.
—
Andres Viglucci,
Miami Herald,
30 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“In private.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/in%20private. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
