secrete

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

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 secrete In December and January, Pebbles gobbled down seven doses of the drug, which had been secreted inside dead mice and quail. Emily Elconin, New York Times, 16 Feb. 2025 Pepto-Bismol reduces the amount of fluids that are secreted into the intestines. Jessica Swirble, Verywell Health, 12 Feb. 2025 Those should properly be studied and debated on their own, rather than be secreted in the budget package. Dan Walters, Orange County Register, 5 Feb. 2025 Some of the most common animal extracts used in hair perfumes are musk and ambergris, which is a waxy substance that is secreted by sperm whales. Bestreviews, The Mercury News, 6 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for secrete
Recent Examples of Synonyms for secrete
Verb
  • In July 2024, a judge threw out the involuntary manslaughter case against Baldwin with prejudice after the actor's lead attorney, Alex Spiro, argued that prosecutors had concealed evidence of ammunition that may have been linked to the fatal shooting.
    Rachel Brodsky, TIME, 11 Mar. 2025
  • Dark Empaths can grasp the subtleties of human behavior and use that insight to conceal their shortcomings behind a brash level of confidence.
    Dan Pontefract, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The ancient springhead, natural waterpark, and retro roadside attraction has more than a few secrets hidden in its eelgrass.
    Kelsey Glennon, Southern Living, 22 Mar. 2025
  • But all that family turmoil was hidden, and to most who knew him, Dr. Schwartz seemed to have a beautiful life until the evening of May 28, 2014, when Becky Schwartz came home and discovered her home in disarray.
    Peter Van Sant, CBS News, 21 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Gaza’s health ministry said the toll was likely to rise with many people buried under rubble.
    Abeer Salman, CNN, 20 Mar. 2025
  • Frank’s childhood best friend — the hot-headed and increasingly paranoid Vito Genovese, convinced that his rivals will keep gunning for him until they’re buried in the ground — insists upon that second option.
    David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 19 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Secrete.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/secrete. Accessed 28 Mar. 2025.

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