secretive

1 of 2

adjective

se·cre·tive ˈsē-krə-tiv

si-ˈkrē-

Synonyms of secretive

: disposed to secrecy : not open or outgoing in speech, activity, or purposes

secretively adverb

secretiveness noun

secretiveness

2 of 2

noun

se·cre·tive·ness

-ivnə̇s,

-ēv- also -əv-

plural -es

: the quality or state of being secretive

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

Adjective 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.

Adjective

Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, the loser in Brazil’s presidential elections Sunday, arrived in Miami on Wednesday after fleeing his home country in a secretive mission that has drawn speculation and controversy. — Florencia Cabral, Miami Herald, 28 Oct. 2026 Although very few families have this kind of wealth, many take the same secretive approach to estate planning. — Christina Wing, Fortune, 27 Oct. 2026 Letter writer’s husband became suspicious because of his mother’s secretive and defensive behavior. — Razzan Nakhlawi, Washington Post, 24 Oct. 2026 The beaches will always have that kinetic draw, sure, as do the beautiful (and still often secretive) mountain villages, glittering coves, and a very leisurely lunch scene. — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 21 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for secretive

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

back-formation from secretiveness, partial translation of French secrétivité

Noun

partial translation of French secrétivité, from secrétiv- (from secret, noun + -if -ive) + -ité -ity

First Known Use

Adjective

1835, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of secretive was in 1835

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Secretive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/secretive. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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Kids Definition

secretive

adjective

se·cre·tive ˈsē-krət-iv

si-ˈkrēt-

: having a tendency toward secrecy and concealment : not frank or open

secretively adverb

secretiveness noun

secretive

adjective

noun

Synonyms of secretive

Examples of secretive in a Sentence

Word History

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Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

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