as in silent
given to keeping one's activities hidden from public observation or knowledge
the intelligence agency remained secretive despite the media's demands for more openness in government
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Recent Examples of secretive
Data centers opponents often cite the facilities' heavy water and energy use, but Caledonia residents have other concerns — including a process that seemed secretive and lacking in details.
—
Ricardo Torres, jsonline.com, 9 Oct. 2025
North Korea has kept celebratory plans for the 80th anniversary of the Workers’ Party of Korea on Friday tightly under wraps – much like the secretive and isolated state has done in the past with significant dates.
—Helen Regan, CNN Money, 9 Oct. 2025
Starting in 1910, the company served as the secretive supplier to the commandos of the Italian Navy, starting out crafting precision instruments such as gun sights and luminescent compasses before creating its first watches in 1935.
—Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2025
Arbitration is a secretive process often favored by companies.
—Miami Herald, 9 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for secretive
Ricardo Torres, jsonline.com, 9 Oct. 2025
North Korea has kept celebratory plans for the 80th anniversary of the Workers’ Party of Korea on Friday tightly under wraps – much like the secretive and isolated state has done in the past with significant dates.
—Helen Regan, CNN Money, 9 Oct. 2025
Starting in 1910, the company served as the secretive supplier to the commandos of the Italian Navy, starting out crafting precision instruments such as gun sights and luminescent compasses before creating its first watches in 1935.
—Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2025
Arbitration is a secretive process often favored by companies.
—Miami Herald, 9 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for secretive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for secretive
Adjective
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Scherzinger’s only familiarity with the material was Billy Wilder’s 1950 film, which starred Gloria Swanson as a faded beauty of the silent era hell-bent on a return to relevance.—
Tatiana Siegel,
Variety,
28 Oct. 2025
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Valentino Clemente Ludovico Garavani was born in Voghera, near Milan, on May 11, 1932, named after silent movie actor Rudolph Valentino.—
Luisa Zargani,
Footwear News,
28 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Where to stay On a quiet side street in the Latin Quarter, near the Jardin des Plantes and a 30-minute stroll from the catacombs is the Le Jardin de Verre by Locke, which opened in March 2025.—
Sophie Friedman,
AFAR Media,
22 Oct. 2025
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Meloni told the Saturday Night Live star to remain quiet as he FaceTimed Hargitay, who was en route to Poehler’s podcast.—
Angel Saunders,
PEOPLE,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Even as American political polarization has intensified over the last eight years, both Republicans and Democrats have agreed that an increasingly powerful Beijing poses an economic, technological, and security threat to Washington and its close allies.—
Mira Rapp-Hooper,
Foreign Affairs,
29 Oct. 2025
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On the series, JD and Michelle have grown closer, but in real life, Todd is married to Jordan Wilcox Lasance.—
Christopher Rudolph,
PEOPLE,
29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The business is, and has always been, a dodgy boondoggle; not for nothing were the old-money WASPs at the East Coast banks reticent to put capital behind fledgling Hollywood.—
Nick Pinkerton,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Oct. 2025
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His first foray into retail for the brand was a pop-up in London in 2008, and many British customers were reticent about the price point, even though the product was wholly made in England.—
Rhonda Richford,
Footwear News,
19 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Whenever Conrad was at his most uncommunicative and avoidant, Jeremiah was waiting in the wings to offer uncomplicated affection and himbo charm.—
Ben Rosenstock,
Vulture,
17 Sep. 2025
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Throughout the show, Conrad is forgiven by fans for being uncommunicative and avoidant.—
Alyssa Goldberg,
USA Today,
29 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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There’s also the closemouthed, menacing technician who lives on a houseboat and raises snakes; the actress first hired for the show’s leading part who dropped out of the role before shooting began; and the unknown burglar who fled the frightened player’s house.—
Tom Nolan,
WSJ,
23 Dec. 2022
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Hutton’s gaptoothed smile replaced the closemouthed gaze and white eyeliner of Vogue models of the 1960s.—
Washington Post,
Washington Post,
25 Dec. 2021
Adjective
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Prince Harry wore a black blazer over a white T-shirt with dark pants.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
PEOPLE,
29 Oct. 2025
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Its legs are a similar pale yellow color covered with irregular black and dark-brown markings, according to Omelko.—
Lauren Liebhaber,
Miami Herald,
28 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Secretive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/secretive. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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