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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of secretive
The secretive communist nation covered the would-be warship with a blue tarp.
—
Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 24 May 2025
In The Final Reckoning, the actor portrays a character named Captain Bledsoe, who operates a secretive U.S. submarine and plays a pivotal role in Ethan Hunt's quest to stop the movie's artificial intelligence villain, known as the Entity.
—Tommy McArdle, People.com, 23 May 2025
Josh O’Connor, as the outwardly brash but inwardly secretive and vulnerable David, makes his presence felt in every scene.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 21 May 2025
The Italian magazine il Giornale got hold of some of the first reports of intrigue from the secretive conclave that selected Leo as the first American pope on Thursday.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 10 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for secretive
Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 24 May 2025
In The Final Reckoning, the actor portrays a character named Captain Bledsoe, who operates a secretive U.S. submarine and plays a pivotal role in Ethan Hunt's quest to stop the movie's artificial intelligence villain, known as the Entity.
—Tommy McArdle, People.com, 23 May 2025
Josh O’Connor, as the outwardly brash but inwardly secretive and vulnerable David, makes his presence felt in every scene.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 21 May 2025
The Italian magazine il Giornale got hold of some of the first reports of intrigue from the secretive conclave that selected Leo as the first American pope on Thursday.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 10 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for secretive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for secretive
Adjective
-
While the Trump administration was silent on the details of the document, a New York Times report described it as merely a list of bullet points, not a full draft, citing four officials familiar with the negotiations.—
Zach LaChance,
The Washington Examiner,
1 June 2025
-
Proenza Schouler leans toward a silent gesture with its mint green terry dress.—
Alex Sales,
Glamour,
31 May 2025
Adjective
-
The drama division had been relatively quiet for a period but suddenly found its stride in the past year with a string of buzzy commissions that will now mostly air under new leadership.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
3 June 2025
-
As romantic distractions fall away, the quiet also makes way for freedom.—
Faith Hill,
The Atlantic,
2 June 2025
Adjective
-
The likelihood of lightning increases as a thunderstorm gets closer and reaches its highest point when the storm is directly overhead.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
4 June 2025
-
Numerous outlets have already reported on how close Barca is to landing breakout 2024/2025 La Liga star Joan Garcia from Espanyol, which could complicate Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s future as Hansi Flick’s first choice goalkeeper.—
Tom Sanderson,
Forbes.com,
4 June 2025
Adjective
-
Short of a large-scale threat to its homeland or the collapse of its military, a nuclear-armed state will likely remain reticent to deploy nuclear weapons against a nonnuclear rival.—
Paul Avey,
Foreign Affairs,
6 Mar. 2025
-
But his administration is hardly reticent about denouncing other countries’ internal conduct.—
Jonathan Chait,
The Atlantic,
16 May 2025
Adjective
-
Some supporters felt their club had become too corporate, too cold and too uncommunicative.—
Greg O'Keeffe,
The Athletic,
20 Dec. 2024
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
Dark Universe is home to one of the greatest dark rides of all time.—
Kimberly Zapata,
Parents,
3 June 2025
-
Both were crucial mental health resources during that dark time, and both found a wider embrace online for their niche comic sensibilities.—
Charles McNulty,
Los Angeles Times,
3 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Secretive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/secretive. Accessed 11 Jun. 2025.
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