Synonyms of secrete

secrete

verb

si-ˈkrēt 

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

• conceal
• hide
• bury
• hoard
• stash
• cache
• ensconce
• inter
• entomb
• squirrel (away)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• exhibit
• display
• reveal
• expose
• uncover
• show
• unveil
• unmask
• bare
• flaunt
• show off
• parade
• unwrap
• unearth
• disinter

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

Recent Examples of secrete

As part of a military parade in Pyongyang in 2023, the North Korean army showed off a variety of civilian box trucks and dump trucks with multiple-launch rocket tubes secreted inside them. —David Axe, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025

These would measure the amount of fat that his glands secreted on that week’s diet. —Dhruv Khullar, The New Yorker, 6 Jan. 2025

The body cools itself by circulating hot blood beneath the surface of our skin and secreting a layer of sweat on top. —Olatunji Osho-Williams, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Dec. 2024

These medications may work by lowering glucose production, improving the body’s response to insulin, and/or helping the body secrete more insulin. —Katia Hetter, CNN, 17 Jan. 2025

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