secretive

[see-kri-tiv, si-kree-] / ˈsi krɪ tɪv, sɪˈkri- /

ADJECTIVE

uncommunicative

Synonyms

STRONGEST

covert enigmatic reticent taciturn

WEAK

backstairs buttoned-up cagey clammed up close close-mouthed cryptic feline furtive hushed in chambers in privacy in private in the background in the dark on the Q.T. reserved silent tight-lipped undercover unforthcoming withdrawn zipped

Antonyms

STRONGEST

communicative

WEAK

forthright honest open

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.

Turkmenistan is one of the most secretive countries in the world.

From Barron's • Mar. 10, 2026

"This is the person who needs to be punished. He made a conscious decision to do this - a secretive decision."

From BBC • Mar. 3, 2026

Losing his job at the same time as he incurred $22,000 in debt over a secretive sports-card trading business may just be bad timing, but I can’t help feeling like the two events are related.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 2, 2026

Corrie Driebusch writes about the most buzzed-about initial public offerings and secretive private companies for The Wall Street Journal.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 24, 2026

The valley all around him, what he could see of it, was dark and secretive, beautiful and serene.

From "The Milagro Beanfield War" by John Nichols

secretive

Example Sentences

Related Words