1
as in confidential
not known or meant to be known by the general populace
that he is planning to retire is private information until he makes a public announcement
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in clandestine
undertaken or done so as to escape being observed or known by others
a private investigation of the organization's activities
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in personal
of, relating to, or belonging to a single person
club lockers in which private property may be stored
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of private
One of the best and most convenient ways to explore this area is by staying at the Hacienda Chichen Resort, a sustainable hotel that offers a private entrance to the archaeological sites from its own gardens.
—
Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Apr. 2026
This is a research area that really needs private—billionaire—philanthropy.
—Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 29 Apr. 2026
His private quarterback coach, Steve Calhoun, leveled with the pupil.
—Bomani Jones, Vanity Fair, 29 Apr. 2026
Erik Spoelstra, in conversations both public and private, has shown no sign of burnout or consideration of moving on to the next thing.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for private
Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Apr. 2026
This is a research area that really needs private—billionaire—philanthropy.
—Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 29 Apr. 2026
His private quarterback coach, Steve Calhoun, leveled with the pupil.
—Bomani Jones, Vanity Fair, 29 Apr. 2026
Erik Spoelstra, in conversations both public and private, has shown no sign of burnout or consideration of moving on to the next thing.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for private
Recent Examples of Synonyms for private
Adjective
-
The New York Times then published confidential internal memos concerning the justices’ 5-4 decision to halt President Barack Obama’s Clean Power Plan in 2016.—
Michael W. McConnell,
Washington Post,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Van Dyke, who is stationed at Fort Bragg near Fayetteville, North Carolina, was charged Thursday with the unlawful use of confidential government information for personal gain, theft of nonpublic government information, commodities fraud, wire fraud and making an unlawful monetary transaction.—
Gary D. Robertson,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The role of the two CIA agents who were returning from destroying a clandestine drug lab in the northern Mexican state of Chihuahua remains unclear.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Apr. 2026
-
The role of the two CIA agents, who were returning from destroying a clandestine drug lab in the northern Mexican state of Chihuahua, remains unclear.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Today, in the 2050s, quantum networks send information that protects our banks, power grids and personal identities.—
David Awschalom,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Beyond credit reports, certain services monitor other personal data that may be exposed in breaches or sold online.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
26 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Both countries have confirmed recent talks, although details remain secret.—
Dánica Coto,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Apr. 2026
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Federal prosecutors accused Van Dyke of using top-secret information gleaned from planning the raid to make around a dozen bets on the operation on Polymarket, a prediction market where users can bet on everything from the Super Bowl to territorial gains in the war in Ukraine.—
Michael Loria,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
These were actually undercover police officers.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Apr. 2026
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Federal prosecutors in Alabama secured an 11-count indictment accusing the organization of paying millions of dollars to some of those undercover informants and hiding the real purpose of the payments from its donors.—
Josh Meyer,
USA Today,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Movement data can also inform personalized exercise and therapy regimens to help people preserve mobility.—
Bryan T. Kelly,
Fortune,
29 Apr. 2026
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This allows staff to assist customers more efficiently without ever having to leave their side, resulting in a more seamless and personalized shopping experience.—
Arthur Zaczkiewicz,
Footwear News,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Reznik said while the San Gabriel River system and adjacent spreading grounds, stretching from Irwindale to Long Beach, work exceptionally well, capturing 90% of the local runoff that percolates into underground basins for later use, that’s not true of some other waterways in the county.—
Steve Scauzillo,
Daily News,
24 Apr. 2026
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The film centres on Karampour’s reunion with her brother Siâvash, formerly a vocalist in an Iranian underground punk band now living in exile in New York.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Many artists within this tradition went from seeking to imitate the beauty of the world to expressing their subjective experience.—
Luis Parrales,
The Atlantic,
28 Apr. 2026
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Advocacy journalism is a form of news in which reporters take an unapologetically subjective stance (albeit factual) to advance a social or political goal.—
Karen McIntyre,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Private.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/private. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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