as in silent
tending not to speak frequently (as by habit or inclination)
the cabinet official is usually tight-lipped about her private life
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 tight-lipped
Govil was tight-lipped on specific details, but there have been reports that Freedom are looking to develop in Frederick, about 45 miles north of Washington DC.
—
Tristan Lavalette, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025
While both sides keep tight-lipped about losses, Zelensky is accusing Moscow of hiding the scale of losses from the Russian public for fear of undermining any future mobilization.
—Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 June 2025
But when Cadence refuses to oblige Harris, the patriarch remains tight-lipped to maintain the family’s shiny reputation, in true Sinclair fashion.
—Alyssa Davis, People.com, 19 June 2025
Read, who has often talked to the media during the trial, was tight-lipped when court took its lunch break following the jury’s first question.
—Flint McColgan, Boston Herald, 18 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for tight-lipped
Tristan Lavalette, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025
While both sides keep tight-lipped about losses, Zelensky is accusing Moscow of hiding the scale of losses from the Russian public for fear of undermining any future mobilization.
—Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 June 2025
But when Cadence refuses to oblige Harris, the patriarch remains tight-lipped to maintain the family’s shiny reputation, in true Sinclair fashion.
—Alyssa Davis, People.com, 19 June 2025
Read, who has often talked to the media during the trial, was tight-lipped when court took its lunch break following the jury’s first question.
—Flint McColgan, Boston Herald, 18 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for tight-lipped
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tight-lipped
Adjective
-
Thus far, however, Tesla’s board has remained largely silent throughout Musk’s period of political activity.—
Christiaan Hetzner,
Fortune,
7 July 2025
-
Half of the speech is devoted to condemning slavery, its defenders and those who remain silent in its face.—
Frederic J. Fransen,
The Orlando Sentinel,
7 July 2025
Adjective
-
Tillman, who is generally more reserved than spotlight-chasing players in his role, strode up and shanked his attempt off the post to his left, perhaps hampered by the foul on his plant leg.—
Jeff Rueter,
New York Times,
30 June 2025
-
The reserved Federal lands and interests in lands encompass approximately 0.12 acres.—
Liz Tracey,
JSTOR Daily,
24 June 2025
Adjective
-
Ratajkowski has been fighting the stereotype of the dumb model from the beginning of her career.—
Daniel Jackson,
Allure,
18 July 2017
-
Ninety nine percent of all NFL players are explicitly not dumb.—
Andy Benoit,
The MMQB,
10 July 2017
Adjective
-
These moves have prompted concern among segments of Trump's base supportive of a restrained international role, raising questions about the administration's direction ahead of a crucial 2026 midterm election cycle.—
Nick Mordowanec,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 July 2025
-
As Rick, Goggins got to show longtime fans and incoming members of his fan club a rarer side of the actor: quiet, restrained, in deep amounts of unspoken pain.—
Josh Wigler,
HollywoodReporter,
8 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tight-lipped.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tight-lipped. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share