Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
Definitions

in secret

ADJECTIVE
behind-the-scenes
Synonyms
WEAK
backstage behind the curtain in a corner in the dark out of public view sub-rosa
ADVERB
huggermugger
Synonyms
WEAK
behind closed doors behind someone's back by stealth clandestinely confidentially covertly furtively hush-hush in camera in confidence in holes and corners in strict confidence insidiously intimately o obscurely on the Q.T.
ADVERB
secretly
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 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.

Liquidators under government control then sold the company in secret, with no accounting of the proceeds from the sale of its printing presses and other assets.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026

His mom served as the pastor for their church, which met in secret in their home along with 17 or 18 fellow converts for daily services.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 4, 2026

Chelsea have been fined £10m and handed a suspended transfer ban after admitting making £47m in secret payments to unregistered agents and third-parties over transfers between 2011 and 2018.

From BBC • Mar. 16, 2026

Who among us is getting Botox in secret after age 40?

From Slate • Feb. 22, 2026

When she saw our faces, her own became as pale as death: for a second or two her eyes were closed as if she were in secret prayer; and then she said cheerfully:—

From "Dracula" by Bram Stoker