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
Choose the Right Synonym for secretive

silent, taciturn, reticent, reserved, secretive mean showing restraint in speaking.

silent implies a habit of saying no more than is needed.

the strong, silent type

taciturn implies a temperamental disinclination to speech and usually connotes unsociability.

taciturn villagers

reticent implies a reluctance to speak out or at length, especially about one's own affairs.

was reticent about his plans

reserved implies reticence and suggests the restraining influence of caution or formality in checking easy informal conversational exchange.

greetings were brief, formal, and reserved

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

Examples of secretive in a Sentence

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
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.
Trump was notoriously secretive about his health during his first term and did not release any recent medical records as part of his 2024 campaign — even after a July assassination attempt, in which a bullet struck his ear. Meredith Kile, People.com, 13 Apr. 2025 He's investigated the hidden offshore wealth of Russian oligarchs, billions of dollars in assets held offshore by a member of the Adani family and the Adani Group, and the maze of corporate structures and secretive inner circle of crypto giant Binance. Giacomo Tognini, Forbes.com, 13 Apr. 2025 The Johnnies, notoriously secretive about their uniforms, made their entrance costumed as the tournament's grass croquet courts, complete with mini wickets, mallets, balls and clips. Tyrone Turner, NPR, 12 Apr. 2025 It’s been seven years since Beale Air Force Base, home to the secretive U-2 Dragon Lady reconnaissance aircraft, hosted a public airshow. Sacbee.com, 5 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for secretive

Word History

Etymology

back-formation from secretiveness, partial translation of French secrétivité

First Known Use

1835, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of secretive was in 1835

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

secretive

adjective
se·​cre·​tive ˈsē-krət-iv How to pronounce secretive (audio)
si-ˈkrēt-
: having a tendency toward secrecy and concealment : not frank or open
secretively adverb
secretiveness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on secretive

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