secretive
Keeping things hidden
Secretive describes a tendency to conceal information or keep things hidden.
A secretive person doesn't readily share thoughts, plans, or activities: She was secretive about her past.
The word often carries a slightly negative connotation, suggesting excessive or suspicious concealment rather than simple privacy.
Governments and organizations described as secretive operate with minimal transparency.
Hidden writing system
- codeSymbolic communication system
- enigmaSomething hard to fathom
- cryptogramCoded message puzzle
- encryptedTransformed into cipher
puzzle · riddle · indecipherable · mysterious · obscure · veiled · arcane · inscrutable
Covert intelligence gathering
- spyCovert information gatherer
- undercoverSecretly engaged in espionage
- infiltrateEnter secretly to observe
- stealthSecret, undetected movement
cloak-and-dagger · intelligence · reconnaissance · moles · agent · subterfuge · clandestine · sneak
Kept out of sight
- disguisedConcealed true identity
- camouflagedVisually hidden by coloring
- maskedHaving face covered
- veiledConcealed or obscured
obscured · covered · shrouded · cloaked · buried · tucked-away · stashed · concealed
Disinclined to speak freely
- tight-lippedUnwilling to divulge
- closemouthedReluctant to speak
- uncommunicativeUnwilling to share thoughts
- discreetCareful to avoid notice
circumspect · cagey · evasive · noncommittal · wary · cautious · private · reserved
Speech without full voice
- murmurSoft, indistinct continuous sound
- conspiratorialSuggesting secret plotting
- lowNot elevated
- quietLacking in sound
muffled · stifled · hush-hush · off-the-record · confidential · private · shushed · muted
Turned toward inner life
- reclusiveSeeking isolation from others
- solitaryExisting alone, apart
- hermeticImpenetrably closed off
- privateRestricted to certain parties
aloof · reserved · taciturn · unsociable · detached · isolated · closed-off · standoffish
cipher
Hidden writing system
- codeSymbolic communication system
- enigmaSomething hard to fathom
- cryptogramCoded message puzzle
encrypted · puzzle · riddle · indecipherable · mysterious · obscure · veiled · arcane · inscrutable · coded
espionage
Covert intelligence gathering
- spyCovert information gatherer
- undercoverSecretly engaged in espionage
- infiltrateEnter secretly to observe
stealth · cloak-and-dagger · intelligence · reconnaissance · moles · agent · subterfuge · clandestine · sneak · surreptitious
hidden
Kept out of sight
- disguisedConcealed true identity
- camouflagedVisually hidden by coloring
- maskedHaving face covered
veiled · obscured · covered · shrouded · cloaked · buried · tucked-away · stashed · concealed · invisible
reticent
Disinclined to speak freely
- tight-lippedUnwilling to divulge
- closemouthedReluctant to speak
- uncommunicativeUnwilling to share thoughts
discreet · circumspect · cagey · evasive · noncommittal · wary · cautious · private · reserved · poker-faced
whisper
Speech without full voice
- murmurSoft, indistinct continuous sound
- conspiratorialSuggesting secret plotting
- lowNot elevated
quiet · muffled · stifled · hush-hush · off-the-record · confidential · private · shushed · muted · softly
introverted
Turned toward inner life
private · aloof · reserved · taciturn · unsociable · detached · isolated · closed-off · standoffish · distant
- speaking stylesarticulate, blunt, candid, conversational, casual
- cunningcunning, craftiness, crafty, guile, slyness
- Exclusivityexclusive, elite, VIP, members-only, private
- mysteriousmysterious, cryptic, enigmatic, arcane, obscure
- Privateprivate, confidential, personal, hidden, concealed
- discretiondiscreet, discretion, subtle, understated, unobtrusive
secretiveopen
Not closed
forthcoming · transparent · candid · forthright · frank
- secretive gatheringsHidden group convocations
- secretive creaturesAnimals prone to concealment