Synonyms for secretive
- adjective
Most common
uncommunicative tight-lipped taciturn close furtive clandestine
Synonyms by meaning
Adjective
1. Uncommunicative
uncommunicative, tight-lipped, taciturn, close, silent, reserved, closemouthed, closelipped, reticent
2. Furtive
Other
Definitions
- adj. 1
Having an inclination to secrecy.
Why are you acting all secretive? What are you hiding?
- adj. 2
Relating to secretion.
Example sentences
- silent As he didn't know what to say, he remained silent.
- taciturn Mary's partner is a taciturn person.
- uncommunicative She's a proper chatterbox, whereas her husband is downright uncommunicative.
- clandestine Sami and Layla began a clandestine relationship.
- furtive They cast furtive glances at one another.
Popularity over time
| Word | 1850 → 2019 | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| secretive | rising | |
| silent | rising | |
| taciturn | rising | |
| uncommunicative | steady | |
| clandestine | rising |
Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.
By length
- 3 letters
- sly1
- 5 letters
- close1
- 6 letters
- silent2
- 7 letters
- furtive2
- 8 letters
- reserved2, esoteric4, reticent3, taciturn3
- 11 letters
- clandestine3, closelipped
- 12 letters
- closemouthed
- 15 letters
- uncommunicative
The small number after each word is its number of syllables (silent2 = 2 syllables).