secrete

as in to conceal
to put into a hiding place the police found the weapon secreted under the driver's seat of the getaway car

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word secrete distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of secrete are bury, conceal, hide, and screen. While all these words mean "to withhold or withdraw from sight," secrete suggests a depositing in a place unknown to others.

secreted the amulet inside his shirt

Where would bury be a reasonable alternative to secrete?

The words bury and secrete can be used in similar contexts, but bury implies covering up so as to hide completely.

buried the treasure

In what contexts can conceal take the place of secrete?

In some situations, the words conceal and secrete are roughly equivalent. However, conceal usually does imply intent and often specifically implies a refusal to divulge.

concealed the weapon

When might hide be a better fit than secrete?

While in some cases nearly identical to secrete, hide may or may not suggest intent.

hide in the closet
a house hidden in the woods

When could screen be used to replace secrete?

While the synonyms screen and secrete are close in meaning, screen implies an interposing of something that prevents discovery.

a house screened by trees

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 secrete Starve your muscles of oxygen in training and your body responds by secreting EPO, a hormone that stimulates the production of hemoglobin-carrying red blood cells. Alex Hutchinson, Outside Online, 2 June 2025 Royal jelly proteins that are known to be secreted by the western honeybee, were also found in the residue. Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 30 July 2025 The second deception was the lethal doses of poison the accused secreted in the homecooked beef Wellingtons. Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 7 July 2025 Hairs covering the stems, leaves and flowers have glands that secrete a sticky substance that can cause an itchy rash. Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for secrete
Recent Examples of Synonyms for secrete
Verb
  • To conceal her sexuality in an effort not to have her photography marginalized.
    Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2025
  • Erik discussed using a fake ID to conceal his identity and recounted the events leading to the murders, citing intense fear and the belief that fleeing would have been a death sentence.
    Matthew J. Friedman, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The moment, which quickly went viral, saw the pair duck to hide their faces from the camera, setting off alarm bells and becoming instant fodder for online chatter.
    Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2025
  • This broadly guides the AI and can be hidden from users or found by savvy users via insider awareness of where to look.
    Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 25 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The very next possession, fellow punter Ryan Wright cleanly handled a snap and hold, and Reichard buried a 58 yarder.
    Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 23 Aug. 2025
  • You were supposed to bury sentiment, cut the cord and fully inhabit your current, non-customizable uniform right down to your plain black cleats.
    Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Secrete.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/secrete. Accessed 3 Sep. 2025.

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