off-the-books

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of off-the-books In 1743, Keith was sent to Fleet Prison for his off-the-books activities. Alexandra Cox, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Mar. 2025 This second Adam and Eve are at odds because Adam, a trans man, is pregnant, and his sister, a scientist and genetic researcher, has volunteered to be his off-the-books OBGYN, helping him and his partner Fox (Ryan Jamaal Swain) through the pregnancy. Sara Holdren, Vulture, 26 Feb. 2025 An off-the-books e-bike battery repair shop in the basement of a Queens home sparked a massive Friday morning blaze that left a firefighter and three building residents hospitalized, FDNY officials said. Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 24 Jan. 2025 Since Russia invaded Ukraine, the worry primarily concerned the use of such off-the-books ships to circumvent Western sanctions and generate revenue to fuel the Kremlin’s war machine. Michael Schwirtz, New York Times, 28 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for off-the-books
Recent Examples of Synonyms for off-the-books
Adjective
  • Typically, the media is expected to treat messages from this platform as off-the-record, but a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration official granted CNN permission to report general information about the Texas disaster from the platform.
    Curt Devine, CNN Money, 7 July 2025
  • Most of these off-the-record asks happen during early development: pitches, mood boards, preproduction.
    Lila Shapiro, Vulture, 4 June 2025
Adjective
  • Speaking with Robbie Fox on the My Mom's Basement podcast, the former WWE Champion shared the story of the clandestine meeting.
    Andrew Ravens‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 July 2025
  • Even when targeting America’s enemies, not all are supportive of clandestine cyberattacks.
    Thomas Brewster, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
Adjective
  • The investigation will include many more closed-door interviews over the next few months.
    Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 14 July 2025
  • Among the events scheduled are a House Ways and Means hearing on crypto tax policy, a Dodd-Frank retrospective touching on decentralized finance, and ongoing closed-door meetings between Senate staff and industry stakeholders.
    Becca Bratcher, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
Adjective
  • In the course of that surreptitious mission, Meachum (played by Jensen Ackles) stumbled into a heated hand-to-hand fight inside the consulate’s security station, where all sorts of limbs were thrown, much furniture broken.
    Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 16 July 2025
  • In the evenings, Vincent embarks on a surreptitious love affair with Arthur, a soldier on leave — who's also the son of Vincent's governess.
    Lizz Schumer, People.com, 27 May 2025
Adjective
  • At the beginning of the season, host Alan Cumming picks the Traitors that will pit the Faithful against each other by murdering them one by one while trying to remain undercover.
    Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 22 July 2025
  • Ogles cited an undercover video obtained by conservative news website Townhall which appears to show a university employee discussing the school’s Office of Hope, Unity, and Belonging.
    Ruben Montoya, The Tennessean, 19 July 2025
Adjective
  • The bill would ban face coverings during public enforcement operations unless medically required or part of a covert investigation.
    Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 July 2025
  • The human touch is also crucial for ensuring accountability with agentic AI use, particularly for security considerations like accountability and distinguishing a genuine user from a covert threat.
    Imran Aftab, Forbes.com, 17 July 2025
Adjective
  • Spelman will be cremated in a private ceremony Thursday, his family said.
    Emiliano Tahui Gómez, Austin American Statesman, 25 July 2025
  • Appreciate Luxury with Great Views With more than 450 rooms, each with a private balcony overlooking Corpus Christi Bay, the Omni Hotel offers the city's most luxurious accommodations.
    Gabi De la Rosa, Southern Living, 24 July 2025
Adjective
  • Once hidden in underground spaces, ballroom has grown accessible to broader audiences, creating a unique platform for both personal expression and social commentary.
    Vogue, Vogue, 21 July 2025
  • His villa had a pool, a gym, appliances and a game room, and his underground bunker had a bed, a refrigerator and air conditioning, according to the feds.
    John Annese, New York Daily News, 21 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Off-the-books.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/off-the-books. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.

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