secrete

Definition of secretenext
as in to conceal
to put into a hiding place the police found the weapon secreted under the driver's seat of the getaway car

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word secrete distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of secrete are bury, conceal, hide, and screen. While all these words mean "to withhold or withdraw from sight," secrete suggests a depositing in a place unknown to others.

secreted the amulet inside his shirt

Where would bury be a reasonable alternative to secrete?

The words bury and secrete can be used in similar contexts, but bury implies covering up so as to hide completely.

buried the treasure

In what contexts can conceal take the place of secrete?

In some situations, the words conceal and secrete are roughly equivalent. However, conceal usually does imply intent and often specifically implies a refusal to divulge.

concealed the weapon

When might hide be a better fit than secrete?

While in some cases nearly identical to secrete, hide may or may not suggest intent.

hide in the closet
a house hidden in the woods

When could screen be used to replace secrete?

While the synonyms screen and secrete are close in meaning, screen implies an interposing of something that prevents discovery.

a house screened by trees

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for secrete
Verb
  • Shoplifting by concealing merchandise.
    Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 19 May 2026
  • Three sitting rooms are complemented by a further three members’ social spaces for carousing in, concealed behind a subtle screen (here, DJs including Goldierocks make appearances, and mobile snaps are banned; staff politely place a sticker over mobile camera lenses).
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 May 2026
Verb
  • That day, Riley had been editing a sequence in which Corvette sneaks into a San Francisco condo owned by Christie, her fashion idol, by hiding inside a coffee delivery cart.
    Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 17 May 2026
  • Bugs also tend to hide inside packaging, seams, or even the food itself.
    Kate Van Pelt, The Spruce, 15 May 2026
Verb
  • The text card at the close of the episode notes that between 1980 and 1988, more than 200,000 Iranians were killed during the war, while over 15,000 Iranian political prisoners were executed and buried in mass graves.
    Alissa Simon, Variety, 16 May 2026
  • Actor Billy Gardell, a Pittsburgh native, walks a new security guard through it all with the schedule buried at the end.
    Teresa M. Walker, Chicago Tribune, 15 May 2026
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.

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Cite this Entry

“Secrete.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/secrete. Accessed 20 May. 2026.

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