secret 1 of 2

1
as in confidence
information shared only with another or with a select few you didn't really expect him to keep a secret from his wife, did you?

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in mystery
something hard to understand or explain the secrets of the Egyptian pyramids include the construction methods used to lift the huge blocks of stone in place

Synonyms & Similar Words

3

secret

2 of 2

adjective

1
2
as in undercover
working on missions in which one's objectives, activities, or true identity are not publicly revealed secret agents whose wartime exploits were known only by top government officials

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3
as in secluded
screened or sequestered from view a secret cave that is screened by trees

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

4

Synonym Chooser

How is the word secret distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of secret are clandestine, covert, furtive, stealthy, surreptitious, and underhanded. While all these words mean "done without attracting observation," secret implies concealment on any grounds for any motive.

met at a secret location

When would clandestine be a good substitute for secret?

While the synonyms clandestine and secret are close in meaning, clandestine implies secrecy usually for an evil, illicit, or unauthorized purpose and often emphasizes the fear of being discovered.

a clandestine meeting of conspirators

In what contexts can covert take the place of secret?

In some situations, the words covert and secret are roughly equivalent. However, covert stresses the fact of not being open or declared.

covert intelligence operations

When is furtive a more appropriate choice than secret?

The synonyms furtive and secret are sometimes interchangeable, but furtive implies a sly or cautious stealthiness.

lovers exchanging furtive glances

When is it sensible to use stealthy instead of secret?

The words stealthy and secret can be used in similar contexts, but stealthy suggests taking pains to avoid being seen or heard especially in some misdoing.

the stealthy step of a burglar

Where would surreptitious be a reasonable alternative to secret?

The words surreptitious and secret are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, surreptitious applies to action or behavior done secretly often with skillful avoidance of detection and in violation of custom, law, or authority.

the surreptitious stockpiling of weapons

When could underhanded be used to replace secret?

While in some cases nearly identical to secret, underhanded stresses fraud or deception.

an underhanded trick

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 secret
Noun
Ritter will recur as Mia Lapierre, a renowned sommelier who may be hiding a serial killer secret. Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 27 Feb. 2025 Sleep researchers said that fiber and protein intake was positively associated with improved sleep quality Comments Scientists in Japan may have uncovered the secret to getting a good night's sleep. Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 26 Feb. 2025
Adjective
Meghan Markle's major Netflix launch risks being overshadowed by a lawsuit over Prince Harry's visa records as previously secret documents are due to be released. David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Feb. 2025 To this day, woodlands across the Americas bear the secret signs of centuries of Indigenous life. Amelia Soth, JSTOR Daily, 27 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for secret
Recent Examples of Synonyms for secret
Noun
  • Idaho officials have expressed confidence in state elections before, the Statesman previously reported.
    Carolyn Komatsoulis, Idaho Statesman, 8 Mar. 2025
  • Keep doing it Knowing oneself, projecting confidence, building community and working together is essential.
    John Baldoni, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • But what remains a mystery is why some haven’t discovered this neo-noir gem yet.
    Randy Myers, The Mercury News, 7 Mar. 2025
  • There needs to be a little bit of mystery left, right?
    Alison Edmond, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The key is being brutally honest with yourself, says Reid Hester, PhD, senior scientist of CheckUp & Choices, an online moderation program.
    Kristen Mascia, Parents, 4 Mar. 2025
  • The key is knowing when to act and when to pause for further analysis.
    Heather Rosenow, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The criminal charges also allege Navarro and Worden ensured that no invoice related to the clandestine construction surpassed $3,000, a threshold that would have required further authorization from Caltrain and TransAmerica Services Inc., the company that employed Worden.
    Robert Salonga, The Mercury News, 28 Feb. 2025
  • Information in federal systems includes Treasury payments that could be used to figure out the details of intelligence programs or health and personnel records that could reveal the identities of agents or the responsibilities of clandestine officers.
    DAVID KLEPPER THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, arkansasonline.com, 28 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Based on an incident that had happened 10 years earlier, the book chronicles the harrowing story of two undercover LAPD patrol officers who are kidnapped during a routine traffic stop that goes horribly wrong.
    Chris Koseluk, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Feb. 2025
  • Russo turned stool pigeon within a month of his November 2017 arrest for selling a kilo of cocaine to an undercover agent.
    John Annese, New York Daily News, 26 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • The Beach Club—accessible via the hotel's Jeeps—offers a secluded stretch of sand with a tropical island feel.
    Elizabeth Rhodes, Travel + Leisure, 2 Mar. 2025
  • Within this secluded world, life has evolved in bizarre and fascinating ways.
    Scott Travers, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Encryption And Access Controls: Secure backups with robust encryption and strict access policies to make sure data remains confidential.
    Nick Martin, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025
  • Despite registering a slight improvement, the prognosis remains confidential.
    Anders Hagstrom, Fox News, 26 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.
    Fernando Cervantes Jr., USA TODAY, 2 Mar. 2025
  • Meanwhile, The Doctor and Belinda get tickets to the Interstellar Song Contest, an out-of-this-world version of Eurovision, featuring a cameo from the international competition’s commentator Rylan Clark.
    Glenn Garner, Deadline, 2 Mar. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Secret.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/secret. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on secret

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!