secret 1 of 2

noun

Definition of secretnext
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?

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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

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3
as in key
something that allows someone to achieve a desired goal the secret to advancement in this company is hard work and dedication

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secret

2 of 2

adjective

ˈsē-krət How to pronounce secret (audio)
1
as in clandestine
undertaken or done so as to escape being observed or known by others a secret operation to rescue captive soldiers behind enemy lines

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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

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

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4
as in confidential
not known or meant to be known by the general populace proprietary information that the company does its best to keep secret

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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
Their ancestors have survived two mass extinctions over 230 million years and scientists have uncovered a new secret to their evolutionary success and longevity. —Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 16 Apr. 2025 Flight of the Godwit: Tracking Epic Shorebird Migrations Soar across 46 North American territories to uncover the secrets of seven magnificent shorebirds, the world’s greatest nonstop travelers. —Carlyn Kranking, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 Apr. 2025
Adjective
Right now, Amazon is having a secret sale on Crocs, with everything from clogs, flip-flops, platform sandals, and more up to 71 percent off. —Rylee Johnston, Travel + Leisure, 27 Apr. 2025 The secret process, which takes as long as needed, is vastly different from U.S. presidential, local and even mayoral elections. —Gabriele Regalbuto, FOXNews.com, 26 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for secret
Recent Examples of Synonyms for secret
  1. confidence
  2. mystery
  3. key
  4. clandestine
  5. undercover
  6. secluded
  7. confidential
  8. ticket
Noun
  • For months, Beijing has been projecting an air of strength and confidence in its ability to withstand an escalating trade war with the US.
    — John Liu, CNN Money, 25 Apr. 2025
  • Correlation isn’t causation, but continuity and confidence just might be contagious.
    — Grant Brisbee, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2025
Definition of confidence
Noun
  • The observatory, which is funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation, is designed to scrutinize the solar atmosphere and the sun's magnetic field for tiny features that might reveal answers to some of the fundamental solar mysteries.
    — Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 24 Apr. 2025
  • Mother and daughter were linked through DNA analysis in 2015, but their identities remained a mystery.
    — Christine Pelisek, People.com, 23 Apr. 2025
Definition of mystery
Noun
  • The key is to ensure smartphone users know never to take or make these calls.
    — Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 20 Apr. 2025
  • The urge to indulge our five senses is strong, but the key is to slow down and savor the moment, whether that’s lounging under the sun or finding peace in the stillness.
    — Valerie Mesa, People.com, 19 Apr. 2025
Definition of key
Adjective
  • After authorities responded with mass arrests, weavers formed clandestine committees and took secret oaths.
    — John Cassidy, New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Til Schweiger plays a sardonic whale-tourism boat captain (and former elite military operative, obviously) who gets roped into taking down a clandestine organization that’s building the perfect super-soldier through genetic experiments.
    — Jordan Crucchiola, Vulture, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of clandestine
Adjective
  • Former Attorney General Merrick Garland said in October that the Justice Department foiled the plot as the men bought the rifles from an undercover FBI employee.
    — Krystal Nurse, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Kasie discovers that the Poet used jeweler Gemma Wood (Michelle Lukes) as a go-between to broker deals with anonymous clients, so Torres goes undercover as the man himself since news of his death hasn't left NCIS HQ.
    — Sara Netzley, EW.com, 15 Apr. 2025
Definition of undercover
Adjective
  • There were many more wonderful moments in a festival that fuses sounds and artistic expressions from across the globe, coming together in one of the most stunning and secluded places on Earth. 1.
    — Joanne Shurvell, Forbes.com, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Pre-game the big dinner by enjoying a signature French 125 (a French 75 with Cognac) in the restaurant’s chic and secluded speakeasy lounge.
    — Annie Archer, Travel + Leisure, 19 Apr. 2025
Definition of secluded
Adjective
  • The White House’s claims about Abrego Garcia’s gang affiliation are based mostly on one confidential tip.
    — Caroline Vakil, The Hill, 23 Apr. 2025
  • Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS; all calls are kept confidential.
    — Nicholas Williams, New York Daily News, 22 Apr. 2025
Definition of confidential
Noun
  • As of Thursday, tickets are no longer available for purchase on the festival's website.
    — Greta Cross, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Last month, points and miles travelers could book round-trip economy tickets to Taipei from Seattle and other West Coast cities for 40,000 Delta SkyMiles plus taxes and fees.
    — Nerdwallet, Hartford Courant, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of ticket

Phrases Containing secret

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secrecy
secret
secret agent
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Cite this Entry

“Secret.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/secret. Accessed 2 May. 2025.

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