silent partner

noun

: a partner who is known to the public but has no voice in the conduct of a firm's business

: secret partner

Examples of silent partner in a Sentence

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.

Power alleged in 2020 that the agreement had, in fact, been with Barry to take on a silent partner role but that was always denied by Standing and his high-profile client. —

Philip Buckingham, The Athletic, 4 July 2024 Many companies even invite local officials to become silent partners in their corporations in return for political protection. —

Thomas N. Thompson, Foreign Affairs, 14 Mar. 2012 Some people might prefer a silent partner who’s doing an unrelated task, like folding laundry, while others might prefer a group setting of people focused on the same thing. —

Nerdwallet, The Mercury News, 4 July 2024 Corporate-profits taxation with loss offsets has long been seen as a form of risk-sharing, with the government as a silent partner, and long been shown to increase risk-taking and investment. —

Joseph E. Stiglitz, Fortune, 12 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for silent partner

Word History

First Known Use

1818, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of silent partner was in 1818

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Silent partner.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/silent%20partner. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

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