clandestineness
Quality of concealment
The quality of being hidden or secret, especially when concealing something improper or illicit.
Clandestineness suggests deliberate concealment from authorities or the public: The clandestineness of their meetings only fueled suspicion.
The word is formal and somewhat awkward; most speakers prefer secrecy or simply say something was done clandestinely.
Quality of protecting secrets
- discretionCareful judgment in speech
- privacyFreedom from observation
- classifiedRestricted from disclosure
- undisclosedNot made known
concealment · hush · silence · unspoken · covertness · suppression · cover-up · nondisclosure
Kept out of sight
- disguiseIdentity-concealing alteration
- camouflageConcealment through visual blending
- maskFace-worn concealment
- veilFabric that obscures
shroud · cloak · obscure · buried · covert · incognito · alias · pseudonym
Secretive and sly
- surreptitiousDone secretly, avoiding detection
- stealthySecretly cautious in movement
- sneakingMoving to avoid detection
- tiptoeWalk on foot-fronts
creep · slink · prowl · skulk · lurk · shadowing · undetected · evasion
Storyline or land parcel
- schemeCalculated strategy, often secretive
- cabalScheming political faction
- collusionFraudulent secret cooperation
- intrigueSecret plotting or fascination
machination · sedition · subversion · treachery · coup · insurrection · betrayal · provocateur
Covert information gatherer
- intelligenceMental ability, cognitive capacity
- counterintelligenceDefense against enemy espionage
- operativeCovert field agent
- agentOne who acts independently
mole · infiltrate · reconnaissance · surveillance · wiretap · cipher · dead-drop · safehouse
confidentiality
Quality of protecting secrets
- discretionCareful judgment in speech
- privacyFreedom from observation
- classifiedRestricted from disclosure
undisclosed · concealment · hush · silence · unspoken · covertness · suppression · cover-up · nondisclosure · sealed
hidden
Kept out of sight
- disguiseIdentity-concealing alteration
- camouflageConcealment through visual blending
- maskFace-worn concealment
veil · shroud · cloak · obscure · buried · covert · incognito · alias · pseudonym · cryptic
furtive
Secretive and sly
- surreptitiousDone secretly, avoiding detection
- stealthySecretly cautious in movement
- sneakingMoving to avoid detection
tiptoe · creep · slink · prowl · skulk · lurk · shadowing · undetected · evasion · slipping
plot
Storyline or land parcel
- schemeCalculated strategy, often secretive
- cabalScheming political faction
- collusionFraudulent secret cooperation
intrigue · machination · sedition · subversion · treachery · coup · insurrection · betrayal · provocateur · junta
spy
Covert information gatherer
- intelligenceMental ability, cognitive capacity
- counterintelligenceDefense against enemy espionage
- operativeCovert field agent
agent · mole · infiltrate · reconnaissance · surveillance · wiretap · cipher · dead-drop · safehouse · handler
clandestinenessopenness
Quality of being accessible
transparency · overtness · publicity · conspicuousness · visibility
clandestinenesslegitimacy
Lawful or rightful status
authorization · formality · lawfulness · sanctioning · legality
clandestinenesshonesty
Truthfulness, sincerity
candor · forthrightness · frankness · directness · straightforwardness