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Definitions

secretly

[see-krit-lee] / ˈsi krɪt li /
ADVERB
in hidden manner
Synonyms
STRONGEST
clandestinely covertly furtively personally privately quietly stealthily surreptitiously
WEAK
behind closed doors behind someone's back by stealth confidentially hush-hush in camera in confidence in holes and corners in secret in strict confidence insidiously intimately obscurely on the Q.T. on the quiet on the sly privily slyly sub-rosa under the table underhandedly unobserved
Antonyms
STRONGEST
publicly
WEAK
openly

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Appeared in the March 7, 2026, print edition as 'Russia Secretly Shares Locations of U.S.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 6, 2026

Secretly, I had been extra excited about this dance class.

From Salon • Feb. 17, 2023

The record label group Secretly issued a statement Wednesday on behalf of London’s family.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 28, 2022

London’s family and friends believe someone last spoke to the musician in July in Los Angeles, according to the family’s statement released Wednesday from Secretly, a music label group that has worked with London.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 28, 2022

Secretly, and only when alone, Johnny began calling him ‘Rabbit.’

From "Johnny Tremain" by Esther Hoskins Forbes