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
One hundred thirty-three electors will take part in the secretive process of choosing the next leader of the Catholic Church.
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Brittney Melton, NPR, 7 May 2025
Taking a liberty or two with the secretive process for dramatic and narrative effect, the Edward Berger directed Conclave is adapted from Richard Harris’ 2016 bestseller also of the same name.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 7 May 2025
See more Trump’s AI image of himself as the pope was condemned by leading Catholics, but the idea of a gaggle of secretive, red-robed men deliberating and scheming in an escape room is catnip for our imaginations.
—Raven Smith, Vogue, 7 May 2025
This election is one of the most secretive and important processes for the Vatican.
—Callum Sutherland, Time, 3 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for secretive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for secretive
Adjective
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Their work resists gentrification's silent displacement and instead champions intentional design, historical reverence, and generational empowerment.—
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There were silent Sunday night dinners at restaurants and essentially no contact with any extended relatives.—
Adjective
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The saw-whets, perhaps intimidated by the larger owl, had gone quiet.—
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Brazile, a current ABC News contributor, added that Biden stayed relatively quiet during Trump's first 100 days in office this term, honoring an unwritten presidential tradition, and stressed that Biden deserves a platform.—
Adjective
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This time, the Knicks couldn’t get any closer, as the Celtics won 115-93 to cut their series deficit to two games to one.—
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Charlotte and Raffi see these minor challenges—and their ability to work through them—as proof of how close all of the friends have become.—
Adjective
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But his administration is hardly reticent about denouncing other countries’ internal conduct.—
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Studio executives will convene in the Riviera facing an avalanche of questions from their foreign colleagues, who may be more reticent to do business.—
Adjective
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Some supporters felt their club had become too corporate, too cold and too uncommunicative.—
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Often, a less qualified candidate who displays high energy and eagerness can outshine a more qualified individual who appears disinterested and uncommunicative.—
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.—
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Hutton’s gaptoothed smile replaced the closemouthed gaze and white eyeliner of Vogue models of the 1960s.—
Adjective
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Suddenly, somebody invented a machine and offered them a new deal: Work in this stinky dark factory or starve.—
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Infected roots turn unnaturally dark and mushy, or even weep.—
Cite this Entry
“Secretive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/secretive. Accessed 23 May. 2025.
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