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

Examples 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 Determining how often to wash your hair means finding a balance between preventing a buildup of sebum (an oily substance secreted by the scalp) and stripping away natural oils your hair needs.4 No hair-washing schedule works for everyone. Heather Jones, Verywell Health, 1 Dec. 2024 Today’s Connections groups are... Yellow group — telling of events Green group — secreted by trees Blue group — things on sticks Purple group — black or red What Are Today’s Connections Answers? Spoiler alert! Kris Holt, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024 The grand jury accused Michael Whiting of misuse of public monies, theft, conflict of interest, harassment, sending a threatening letter, and stealing, destroying, altering or secreting public records. Robert Anglen, The Arizona Republic, 11 Nov. 2024 The key seems to be that the electric signals speed up the migration of fibroblasts, cells that help build new connective tissue by secreting collagen. New Atlas, 9 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for secrete 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for secrete
Verb
  • With its sweeping hood concealing a 382 hp, 3.0-liter BMW M TwinPower Turbo inline-six engine, and with M light-alloy wheels (19-inch at the front and 20-inch at the back) wrapped in ultra-sticky Michelins, the car is purposeful, athletic, and elegant.
    Nick Czap, Robb Report, 26 Dec. 2024
  • Officers uncovered the remains of four monkeys, identified as bushmeat, concealed among other items.
    Andy Biggs, Newsweek, 25 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Yang then bemoaned how people shoot lasers at him and hide their kids.
    Anne McCarthy, Variety, 22 Dec. 2024
  • While his mask has changed and grown smaller over the years, Peck has kept his face hidden from the public view.
    Joyce Orlando, USA TODAY, 21 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • In that case, the most prudent thing to do might be to dig a hole in the ground and bury your money there.
    Matthew Scogin, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024
  • Too often, any follow-up stories are buried along with the victims.
    Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 20 Dec. 2024

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Cite this Entry

“Secrete.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/secrete. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.

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