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
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
secretively
adverb
as in furtively
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- furtively
- stealthily
- surreptitiously
- covertly
- sneakily
- underhandedly
- clandestinely
- underground
- undercover
- conspiratorially
- underhanded
- underhand
- collusively
- secretly
- offstage
- inwardly
- à deux
- privately
- offscreen
- tête-à-tête
- confidentially
- intimately
- sotto voce
- backstage
- in camera
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- publicly
- openly