as in off-the-record
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Recent Examples of off-the-books
An elite task force of investigators has its hands full when an off-the-books max-security prison sees a massive breach, leading to the escape of the most notorious convicts.
—
Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 21 Dec. 2024
For six seasons, FX’s Snowfall, co-created by John Singleton, chronicled how an off-the-books CIA operation contributed to the destruction rock cocaine leveled upon the vibrant community of South Central L.A.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 17 Mar. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for off-the-books
Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 21 Dec. 2024
For six seasons, FX’s Snowfall, co-created by John Singleton, chronicled how an off-the-books CIA operation contributed to the destruction rock cocaine leveled upon the vibrant community of South Central L.A.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 17 Mar. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for off-the-books
Recent Examples of Synonyms for off-the-books
Adjective
-
All either failed to respond or, in two instances, offered off-the-record comments that distanced themselves from Combs.—
KiMi Robinson,
USA Today,
24 Apr. 2025
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Former President Biden spoke with students at the Harvard Kennedy School in an off-the-record study group Wednesday at the invitation of his longtime adviser, Mike Donilon.—
Ashleigh Fields,
The Hill,
17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Syria under Assad is believed to have operated an extensive clandestine nuclear program, which included an undeclared nuclear reactor built by North Korea in eastern Deir el-Zour province.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
5 June 2025
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The only way to pre-empt detection by these IAEA watchdogs would be for Ukraine to withdraw from the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and expel the atomic inspectors, but those moves would amount to trumpeting Kyiv’s clandestine quest to develop a nuclear warhead.—
Kevin Holden Platt,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2025
Adjective
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After nearly two hours of closed-door discussions, the Aurora City Council appeared to reach a consensus, unanimously approving White’s appointment.—
R. Christian Smith,
Chicago Tribune,
28 May 2025
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The Supreme Court considered for months whether to take up Apache Stronghold's appeal, discussing the case at more than a dozen closed-door conferences.—
Melissa Quinn,
CBS News,
27 May 2025
Adjective
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Reporters from around the country followed the case, which marked the first time ever that prosecutors would play for a jury a surreptitious FBI recording of mob soldiers taking the oath of omerta during a mafia initiation ceremony.—
Edmund H. Mahony,
Hartford Courant,
21 Apr. 2025
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For example: In 2003, a group of Providence, Rhode Island, artists embarked on a project combining installation art and surreptitious living arrangements.—
Michael Phillips,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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So is this mystery novel secretly the story of The Gilded Age and is this an undercover crossover?—
Nick Romano,
EW.com,
6 June 2025
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The missing money controlled by Velazquez was supposed to go toward undercover narcotics operations.—
Charles Rabin,
Miami Herald,
4 June 2025
Adjective
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Striking Iran’s nuclear program would likely set off a much larger conflict in which Israel and the United States hunt for covert Iranian nuclear sites and Tehran retaliates in the Middle East and beyond.—
Richard Nephew,
Foreign Affairs,
26 May 2025
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Mon Mothma's speech Mon Mothma's covert support of the Rebels becomes public following the devastating events of the Ghorman Massacre.—
Nick Romano,
EW.com,
25 May 2025
Adjective
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Back in August 1993, an eight-year-old Harry, along with his older brother Prince William, then 11, enjoyed a private visit to Walt Disney World in Florida with Princess Diana.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
People.com,
7 June 2025
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Along with developing a comprehensive rebuilding master plan and supporting the Palisades’ infrastructure reconstruction, AECOM will help coordinate broader public and private rebuilding efforts.—
Julia Wick,
Los Angeles Times,
6 June 2025
Adjective
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Autonomous trams and underground trains operate in many European countries, and a variety of transportation vehicles move autonomously in closed environments such as factories and ports.—
Forrester,
Forbes.com,
5 June 2025
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The plant spreads through underground rhizomes but can be propagated by seeds, stem cuttings, or divisions.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
4 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Off-the-books.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/off-the-books. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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