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.

Tracing deportees as they are shuffled across borders in secret has been a recurring issue, lawyers have told AFP.

From Barron's • Jun. 5, 2026

Then what comes out basically in secret the next day is a gift that could benefit him to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars.

From Slate • May 26, 2026

Roosevelt was aware of the critics and thus had the Tennis Cabinet operate mostly in secret.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 13, 2026

On Friday, Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel went on national television and confirmed that Havana has been engaged in secret talks with the Trump administration.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 16, 2026

"But Mo didn't know it was the wrong book! Elinor swapped them in secret."

From "Inkheart" by Cornelia Funke

in secret

Example Sentences

Related Words