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 next

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

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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

Examples of secretive in a Sentence

These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Recent Examples on the Web Also some dudes just are so secretive about it, and that creates tension. —

Beatrice Verhoeven, The Hollywood Reporter, 30 Sep. 2024 Such an intimate portrait could only have been written from inside this secretive community. —

Leslie Camhi, The New Yorker, 11 Oct. 2024 That’s a big deal because Apple is notoriously secretive. —

Jennifer Jolly, USA TODAY, 9 Oct. 2024 These secretive membership decisions, revealed for the first time by WIRED, show how Microsoft, Meta, YouTube, and X are gatekeeping access to anti-terrorism guidance and influencing the content users encounter across the web. —

Paresh Dave, WIRED, 30 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for secretive

Recent Examples of Synonyms for secretive

Adjective

Guam’s forests fell silent as 10 of the island's 12 forest-dwelling bird species vanished from the wild.

Scott Travers, Forbes, 3 Nov. 2024
Our families back home suffer, their cries for help echoing across borders while the world remains silent.

Niraj Warikoo, Detroit Free Press, 2 Nov. 2024