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
Afshar was the subject of an internal investigation at Tesla in 2022, Bloomberg reported, which had focused on his orders of hard-to-get construction materials, including a special kind of glass for a secretive project for Musk.
—
Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 26 June 2025
Hobbs was eventually rehired through another secretive process as a parent liaison and then the board’s chief of staff before again being dismissed with a six-figure severance package.
—Jay Steiger, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 June 2025
Indeed, a central question surrounding the new resort is if one of the world’s most secretive and repressive countries is prepared to make more of a new foray into international tourism, potentially adding to its foreign cash reserves and prestige.
—Mike Valerio, CNN Money, 26 June 2025
The drama all unfolded in the secretive Office of Municipal Services Assessment, a unit created by Mayor Adams to evaluate the performance of city agencies that operated out of 375 Pearl St. behind police headquarters.
—Graham Rayman, New York Daily News, 25 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for secretive
Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 26 June 2025
Hobbs was eventually rehired through another secretive process as a parent liaison and then the board’s chief of staff before again being dismissed with a six-figure severance package.
—Jay Steiger, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 June 2025
Indeed, a central question surrounding the new resort is if one of the world’s most secretive and repressive countries is prepared to make more of a new foray into international tourism, potentially adding to its foreign cash reserves and prestige.
—Mike Valerio, CNN Money, 26 June 2025
The drama all unfolded in the secretive Office of Municipal Services Assessment, a unit created by Mayor Adams to evaluate the performance of city agencies that operated out of 375 Pearl St. behind police headquarters.
—Graham Rayman, New York Daily News, 25 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for secretive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for secretive
Adjective
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With 66 distinct incidents logged between January and late June, the state has had reports of an array of mysterious aerial objects, ranging from glowing orbs and silent triangles to fast-moving disks and shape-shifting lights.—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
FOXNews.com,
7 July 2025
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Thus far, however, Tesla’s board has remained largely silent throughout Musk’s period of political activity.—
Christiaan Hetzner,
Fortune,
7 July 2025
Adjective
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Pulse Picks Yes, the MLB trade deadline could be quiet … but there are some big names that could move, too.—
Chris Branch,
New York Times,
9 July 2025
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Once a quiet fishing village, Nazaré, Portugal, is home to some of the world's largest rideable waves, reaching up to 100 feet.—
Lydia Mansel,
Travel + Leisure,
9 July 2025
Adjective
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The figure surpasses that of the closest rival, China, which had 317 companies represented.—
Diana Leyva,
The Tennessean,
10 July 2025
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But a closer read shows the linguistic dance that big companies are engaged in.—
Liz Hoffman,
semafor.com,
10 July 2025
Adjective
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The ‘big three’ countries of India, Australia and England have been reticent given that slipping into the lower bracket would scupper their money-making plans, with the trio wanting to play each other more often given the financial incentives.—
Tristan Lavalette,
Forbes.com,
14 Apr. 2025
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In New York, however, some local pols weren’t so reticent.—
Ron Kampeas,
Sun Sentinel,
2 July 2025
Adjective
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Some supporters felt their club had become too corporate, too cold and too uncommunicative.—
Greg O'Keeffe,
The Athletic,
20 Dec. 2024
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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.—
Jack Kelly,
Forbes,
25 Nov. 2024
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.—
Tom Nolan,
WSJ,
23 Dec. 2022
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Hutton’s gaptoothed smile replaced the closemouthed gaze and white eyeliner of Vogue models of the 1960s.—
Washington Post,
Washington Post,
25 Dec. 2021
Adjective
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Look for bronze or dark spots on the foliage or prominent purple veins.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
9 July 2025
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The duo stepped out in complementary dark ensembles, with Hayek wearing one of her favorite footwear looks — hefty platform heels — with a black velvet dress.—
Jaden Thompson,
Footwear News,
9 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Secretive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/secretive. Accessed 20 Jul. 2025.
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