secrecy

noun

se·​cre·​cy ˈsē-krə-sē How to pronounce secrecy (audio)
plural secrecies
1
: the condition of being hidden or concealed
2
: the habit or practice of keeping secrets or maintaining privacy or concealment

Examples of secrecy in a Sentence

this administration's steadfast adherence to secrecy is beginning to cost it the trust of the voters
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The Freedom of Information Act was passed in 1966 to increase government transparency in response to a rise in government secrecy during the Cold War. Reshma Ramachandran, The Conversation, 16 Apr. 2025 And how would the actual Fielder, working in tight-lipped secrecy with a team that includes writers Carrie Kemper, Eric Notarnicola and Adam Locke-Norton, advance a master narrative that had already reached such a satisfying conclusion? Alison Herman, Variety, 15 Apr. 2025 In this case, Kalief’s story demonstrated exactly what happens when a system operates in secrecy and with impunity. Chris Alexander, New York Daily News, 13 Apr. 2025 Despite long questioning predecessor Joe Biden’s physical and mental capacity, Trump himself has routinely kept basic facts about his own health shrouded in secrecy—shying away from traditional presidential transparency on medical issues. Time, 11 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for secrecy

Word History

Etymology

alteration of earlier secretie, from Middle English secretee, from secret secret

First Known Use

1556, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of secrecy was in 1556

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Secrecy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/secrecy. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

secrecy

noun
se·​cre·​cy ˈsē-krə-sē How to pronounce secrecy (audio)
plural secrecies
1
: the habit of keeping secrets : secretiveness
2
: the quality or state of being hidden or concealed

More from Merriam-Webster on secrecy

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