SECRETIVE Synonyms: 35 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'secretive' distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of secretive are reserved , reticent , silent , and taciturn . While all these words mean "showing restraint in speaking," 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

Q: When is it sensible to use 'reserved' instead of 'secretive'?

While in some cases nearly identical to secretive , reserved implies reticence and suggests the restraining influence of caution or formality in checking easy informal conversational exchange. // greetings were brief, formal, and reserved

Q: When can 'reticent' be used instead of 'secretive'?

The words reticent and secretive can be used in similar contexts, but reticent implies a reluctance to speak out or at length, especially about one's own affairs. // was reticent about his plans

Q: When could 'silent' be used to replace 'secretive'?

The meanings of silent and secretive largely overlap; however, silent implies a habit of saying no more than is needed. // the strong, silent type

Q: Where would 'taciturn' be a reasonable alternative to 'secretive'?

The synonyms taciturn and secretive are sometimes interchangeable, but taciturn implies a temperamental disinclination to speech and usually connotes unsociability. // taciturn villagers

secretive

adjective

ˈsē-krə-tiv

Definition of secretive

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word secretive distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of secretive are reserved, reticent, silent, and taciturn. While all these words mean "showing restraint in speaking," 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

When is it sensible to use reserved instead of secretive?

While in some cases nearly identical to secretive, reserved implies reticence and suggests the restraining influence of caution or formality in checking easy informal conversational exchange.

greetings were brief, formal, and reserved

When can reticent be used instead of secretive?

The words reticent and secretive can be used in similar contexts, but reticent implies a reluctance to speak out or at length, especially about one's own affairs.

was reticent about his plans

When could silent be used to replace secretive?

The meanings of silent and secretive largely overlap; however, silent implies a habit of saying no more than is needed.

the strong, silent type

Where would taciturn be a reasonable alternative to secretive?

The synonyms taciturn and secretive are sometimes interchangeable, but taciturn implies a temperamental disinclination to speech and usually connotes unsociability.

taciturn villagers

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 secretive The news also comes following the sale of Rauschenberg’s studio compound on Captiva Island in Florida for $45 million and is being handled by the foundation in a somewhat secretive manner, per the Times. — Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 7 Oct. 2026 Trump’s deal for Venezuela’s oil is secretive, exaggerated and suspicious, argues columnist Michael Hiltzik. — Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026 The bill died in the Assembly Appropriations Committee through a largely secretive process where many measures are killed. — Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 5 Oct. 2026 Russia aims to have a lunar reactor running by 2036 as part of a secretive partnership with China. — Selam Gebrekidan, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for secretive

Recent Examples of Synonyms for secretive

Adjective

William has largely remained silent about the brothers' estrangement and has not publicly expressed a desire to repair their relationship.

— Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2026
Weigand spends much of his time on house calls, reviving cherished heirlooms that have long fallen silent.

— La'Tasha Givens, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of silent

Adjective

After a quiet day otherwise, Riley exploded for 33- and 72-yard rushing touchdowns to finish as the game’s leading rusher with 128 yards and two touchdowns on 13 carries.

— Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 25 Oct. 2026
But following intense backlash to the 2024 anti-war protests, some students, faculty and external observers say campuses have become uncharacteristically quiet.

— Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of quiet

Adjective

Staff being uncommunicative with EMS workers.

— David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 7 June 2026
Just as importantly, His voice was loud and and clear in marshalling a Chelsea back line that has too often appeared quiet and uncommunicative in his absence this season.

— Simon Johnson, New York Times, 16 May 2026

Definition of uncommunicative

Adjective

The ad is characteristic of the increasingly dark tone Hilton’s campaign has taken on in the home stretch.

— Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 28 Oct. 2026
Netanyahu's supporters see him as a steady hand and a consummate statesman who has led Israel through a war of redemption after the country's darkest hour.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of dark

Browse Nearby Words

secretion

secretive

secretively

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Secretive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/secretive. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of secretive

adjective

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

grotesque

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes