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
But for those in on the secret, places like Ocean Springs, Gulfport, and Bay St. Louis are hardly second fiddles. —Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 4 Apr. 2025 Imagine spending an afternoon learning to design your own floral arrangement in one of their classes, where local experts share their tips and secrets. —Allison Palmer, Charlotte Observer, 3 Apr. 2025
Adjective
Solis quietly signed his walk-free deal the day after Christmas 2018 and prosecutors kept it secret for years. —Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 4 Apr. 2025 Both cats can be seen standing still while their lips move, keeping their heads close, as if trying to keep their conversation secret. —Lee Habeeb, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 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
  • The back-and-forth over tariffs shook confidence in U.S. leadership, exposed fractures within Trump’s team and rattled companies that rely on global sources for products and international customers for sales.
    — Time, Time, 10 Apr. 2025
  • This uncertainty is eroding confidence in traditional safe-haven assets, contributing to broader market instability.
    — Tony Zhang, CNBC, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of confidence
Noun
  • All the Europeans trying to get into WWE was such a mystery about it.
    — Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025
  • But for 130 years, the location of the infamous roots was a mystery.
    — Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of mystery
Noun
  • The key is to use AI to enhance strategy, not replace creativity, ensuring long-term adaptability in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
  • For bettors, the key is to assess whether a team has the depth and skill for sustained success, or if recent wins are masking deeper issues.
    — Julia Ranney, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
Definition of key
Adjective
  • Taking over a century-old garden house hidden within Shanghai’s storied alleys, Samuel Gui Yang softly partitioned the space, seducing the audience yet making every one of them a clandestine voyeur.
    — Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 1 Apr. 2025
  • In a display of gallows humor at the sloppiness of the leaders’ theoretically clandestine communication, people online quickly turned those symbols into memes, and renamed their own chats Houthi PC small group.
    — Kyle Chayka, The New Yorker, 26 Mar. 2025
Definition of clandestine
Adjective
  • Alan Ritchson says Reacher is the American James Bond Reacher works with DEA agents Susan Duffy (Cassidy) and Guillermo Villanueva (Roberto Montesinos) to go undercover in the rug-importing front, which is led by businessman Zachary Beck (Hall).
    — Randall Colburn, EW.com, 1 Apr. 2025
  • To investigate further, the DEA had five undercover officers visit his clinic to see whether Hollington would prescribe them medications without legit medical reasons between February and July 2022, prosecutors said.
    — Julia Marnin, Miami Herald, 31 Mar. 2025
Definition of undercover
Adjective
  • Situated about 300 miles from both Salt Lake City and Las Vegas, the secluded country estate is an ideal spot for privacy seekers and nature lovers who enjoy stargazing and exploring national parks.
    — Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 28 Mar. 2025
  • The cabin is somewhat secluded, offering privacy and an off-grid vibe while still being within a reasonable driving distance of Park City and all its adventures.
    — Bailey Berg, Architectural Digest, 22 Mar. 2025
Definition of secluded
Adjective
  • The government in that case, a civil lawsuit, has relied on a 2019 local police report, which used information from a confidential informant to allege Abrego Garcia was a member of MS-13.
    — Andrew Goudsward and Ted Hesson, USA Today, 13 Apr. 2025
  • The trial committee recommended that Bush receive a confidential letter of censure and a ban from serving as a strike captain for three years.
    — Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 11 Apr. 2025
Definition of confidential
Noun
  • The normal advance ticket price is $10 for an adult.
    — Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 7 Apr. 2025
  • Those ticket sales rank as the biggest debut of the year, as well as the best in history for a game-to-film adaptation.
    — Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 7 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 19 Apr. 2025.

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