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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.

She added: "I'll even miss standing front of the judges, can you believe that? Smiling politely while sometimes secretly disagreeing - it's been an honour to share the ballroom with them."

From BBC • Mar. 21, 2026

His neighbor is secretly caring for three Jewish children.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 20, 2026

Defoe could shape opinion within it, publishing essays and pamphlets as well as reporting secretly to London.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 18, 2026

I rarely stayed the night, secretly loving the eight-minute buffer between his Valley Village place and mine in Sherman Oaks.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 13, 2026

“I will,” I said, although secretly I hoped I wouldn’t run into Connor anytime soon.

From "Willodeen" by Katherine Applegate