secretive

adjective

se·cre·tive ˈsē-krə-tiv How to pronounce secretive (audio)

si-ˈkrē-

: disposed to secrecy : not open or outgoing in speech, activity, or purposes

secretively adverb

secretiveness noun

Example Sentences

He's very secretive about his work. the intelligence agency remained secretive despite the media's demands for more openness in government

Recent Examples on the Web In 2020, The Weeknd spoke to Rolling Stone about his interest in writing for film and about the then-secretive screenplay in the works; The Idol was officially announced a year later.

Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 21 Aug. 2022 Even some key figures in Al Qaeda’s central leadership were put off, calling him overly controlling, secretive, and divisive.

Matthew Lee, Nomaan Merchant, The Christian Science Monitor, 2 Aug. 2022 The ever-secretive Marvel Studios probably won’t reveal much more until the film’s premiere on July 8.

Scottie Andrew, CNN, 18 Apr. 2022 The long-secretive monarchy faces struggles similar to those of other leaders and celebrities who face a voracious appetite for details on their personal lives and health status.

Fox News, 23 Oct. 2021 The long-secretive monarchy faces struggles similar to those of other leaders and celebrities who face a voracious appetite for details on their personal lives and health status.

Danica Kirka, ajc, 22 Oct. 2021 Netflix is notoriously secretive about its data, not sharing viewership stats even with show makers.

David Doty, Forbes, 10 Aug. 2022 Vietnam is famously secretive about its use of capital punishment.

Heather Chen, CNN, 27 May 2022 Children are often secretive about suicidal impulses; parents are often in denial.

Andrew Solomon, The New Yorker, 4 Apr. 2022 See More

secretive

adjective

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

silent
uncommunicative
quiet
reticent
closemouthed
dark
close
discreet
taciturn
prudent
clandestine
tight-lipped
reserved
secret
tight-mouthed
furtive
sneaky
stealthy
surreptitious
covert
underhanded
undercover
underhand
sneak
hugger-mugger

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

open
communicative
candid
honest
outspoken
frank
tactless
blunt
up-front
out-front

Synonym Chooser

Some common synonyms of secretive are reserved, reticent, silent, and taciturn. While all these words mean "showing restraint in speaking," secretive, too, implies reticence but usually carries a suggestion of deviousness and lack of frankness or of an often ostentatious will to conceal.

the secretive research and development division

While in some cases nearly identical to secretive, reserved implies reticence and suggests the restraining influence of caution or formality in checking easy informal conversational exchange.

greetings were brief, formal, and reserved

The words reticent and secretive can be used in similar contexts, but reticent implies a reluctance to speak out or at length, especially about one's own affairs.

was reticent about his plans

The meanings of silent and secretive largely overlap; however, silent implies a habit of saying no more than is needed.

the strong, silent type

The synonyms taciturn and secretive are sometimes interchangeable, but taciturn implies a temperamental disinclination to speech and usually connotes unsociability.

taciturn villagers

单词	secretive
释义	secretive adjective se·cre·tive ˈsē-krə-tiv si-ˈkrē- : disposed to secrecy : not open or outgoing in speech, activity, or purposes secretively adverb secretiveness noun Synonyms close closemouthed dark reticent tight-mouthed uncommunicative See all Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences He's very secretive about his work. the intelligence agency remained secretive despite the media's demands for more openness in government Recent Examples on the Web In 2020, The Weeknd spoke to Rolling Stone about his interest in writing for film and about the then-secretive screenplay in the works; The Idol was officially announced a year later. Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 21 Aug. 2022 Even some key figures in Al Qaeda’s central leadership were put off, calling him overly controlling, secretive, and divisive. Matthew Lee, Nomaan Merchant, The Christian Science Monitor, 2 Aug. 2022 The ever-secretive Marvel Studios probably won’t reveal much more until the film’s premiere on July 8. Scottie Andrew, CNN, 18 Apr. 2022 The long-secretive monarchy faces struggles similar to those of other leaders and celebrities who face a voracious appetite for details on their personal lives and health status. Fox News, 23 Oct. 2021 The long-secretive monarchy faces struggles similar to those of other leaders and celebrities who face a voracious appetite for details on their personal lives and health status. Danica Kirka, ajc, 22 Oct. 2021 Netflix is notoriously secretive about its data, not sharing viewership stats even with show makers. David Doty, Forbes, 10 Aug. 2022 Vietnam is famously secretive about its use of capital punishment. Heather Chen, CNN, 27 May 2022 Children are often secretive about suicidal impulses; parents are often in denial. Andrew Solomon, The New Yorker, 4 Apr. 2022 See More Word History Etymology back-formation from secretiveness, partial translation of French secrétivité First Known Use 1835, in the meaning defined above Kids Definition secretive adjective se·cre·tive ˈsē-krə-tiv si-ˈkrē- : tending to act in secret or keep secrets secretive adjective 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 Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance silent uncommunicative quiet reticent closemouthed dark close discreet taciturn prudent clandestine tight-lipped reserved secret tight-mouthed furtive sneaky stealthy surreptitious covert underhanded undercover underhand sneak hugger-mugger Antonyms & Near Antonyms open communicative candid honest outspoken frank tactless blunt up-front out-front See More Synonym Chooser Some common synonyms of secretive are reserved, reticent, silent, and taciturn. While all these words mean "showing restraint in speaking," secretive, too, implies reticence but usually carries a suggestion of deviousness and lack of frankness or of an often ostentatious will to conceal. the secretive research and development division While in some cases nearly identical to secretive, reserved implies reticence and suggests the restraining influence of caution or formality in checking easy informal conversational exchange. greetings were brief, formal, and reserved The words reticent and secretive can be used in similar contexts, but reticent implies a reluctance to speak out or at length, especially about one's own affairs. was reticent about his plans The meanings of silent and secretive largely overlap; however, silent implies a habit of saying no more than is needed. the strong, silent type The synonyms taciturn and secretive are sometimes interchangeable, but taciturn implies a temperamental disinclination to speech and usually connotes unsociability. taciturn villagers
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secretive

adjective

Synonyms

Example Sentences

Word History

Kids Definition

adjective

adjective

Synonym Chooser