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?

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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

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

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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

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
Attendees can also purchase wristbands that interact with item blocks and find secrets scattered across the world. Sage Anderson, Rolling Stone, 22 May 2025 The 31-year-old attorney from Brooklyn, New York, kept his profession a secret from the other players throughout the game. Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025
Adjective
Cruise and Ving Rhames have appeared in all of the Mission: Impossible entries, while many other notable names have been part of the rotating roster of secret spies. Christopher Rudolph, People.com, 23 May 2025 Working together in their secret alliance, Kamilla and Kyle joined forces to vote out Mitch Guerra – a plan that was reciprocated by allies Joe and Eva. Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for secret
Recent Examples of Synonyms for secret
Noun
  • Investors may perceive such appointments as a sign of internal uncertainty, potentially impacting stock performance and stakeholder confidence.
    Solange Charas, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
  • That confidence paid off as Farrow received her first Tony nomination for her role as the initially meek homebody Sharon in the play by Jen Silverman, which ran at the Booth Theatre on Broadway from September through December 2024.
    Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 31 May 2025
Noun
  • Adding to the mystery, Teleios emits only in radio wavelengths, with a hint of hydrogen-alpha emissions.
    Stefanie Waldek, Space.com, 29 May 2025
  • Their quest: to finally solve the mystery of the Nameless and their connection to the Force, and to stop the blight before its damage becomes irreversible.
    Dalton Ross, EW.com, 29 May 2025
Noun
  • Despite its slim design, the interior holds more than meets the eye — think phone, wallet, sunglasses, keys, and then some.
    Taylor Jean Stephan, People.com, 26 May 2025
  • Dorn and the others were given laptops and shown the different functions of keys: control, shift and caps lock, how to copy and paste.
    Barbara Ortutay, Los Angeles Times, 25 May 2025
Adjective
  • Tired of using bulky night vision goggles for your clandestine nocturnal activities?
    Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 22 May 2025
  • The fiery combination of Mars trine Venus sparks things up in your clandestine 12th house of secrets and eighth house of intimate affairs.
    Valerie Mesa, People.com, 22 May 2025
Adjective
  • Over the course of the investigation, Salinas Valencia sold the undercover officer several firearms, including two machineguns, as well as fentanyl pills and cocaine.
    Brian Bell, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 May 2025
  • Officer 18 was a standout among undercover officers, doubling his or her regular pay all three years.
    Ariane Lange, Sacbee.com, 20 May 2025
Adjective
  • Picture this: a luxurious, private oasis within the ship, complete with its own secluded decks, personalized butler service, and exclusive dining options that elevate your entire cruise experience.
    Noel Burgess, Forbes.com, 27 May 2025
  • The group then drove to Chelsea, where Vasquez and other MS-13 members led the victim to a secluded area under the highway — where an MS-13 member hit the victim in the head with a rock, and another MS-13 member stabbed the victim with a machete.
    Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 23 May 2025
Adjective
  • Steve Madden, based in Long Island City, New York, said Adidas sued it twice in 2002 to challenge footwear with two parallel stripes and four parallel stripes, leading to a confidential settlement the next year.
    Jonathan Stempel, USA Today, 23 May 2025
  • But less attention is paid to the trades of executive branch employees and congressional aides whose work could give them access to confidential information likely to influence markets once made public.
    Robert Faturechi, ProPublica, 22 May 2025
Noun
  • The couple from Mercer County — who declined to identify themselves — won the prize in the New Jersey Mega Millions lottery after recently scanning a ticket originally bought on New Year’s Eve, according to a press release.
    Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 25 May 2025
  • Then there’s the barrier to entry: The Broadway audience bought tickets, hired a sitter, they’re invested.
    Kelly Stout, Rolling Stone, 25 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Secret.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/secret. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.

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