secrete

as in to conceal
to put into a hiding place the police found the weapon secreted under the driver's seat of the getaway car

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word secrete distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of secrete are bury, conceal, hide, and screen. While all these words mean "to withhold or withdraw from sight," secrete suggests a depositing in a place unknown to others.

secreted the amulet inside his shirt

Where would bury be a reasonable alternative to secrete?

The words bury and secrete can be used in similar contexts, but bury implies covering up so as to hide completely.

buried the treasure

In what contexts can conceal take the place of secrete?

In some situations, the words conceal and secrete are roughly equivalent. However, conceal usually does imply intent and often specifically implies a refusal to divulge.

concealed the weapon

When might hide be a better fit than secrete?

While in some cases nearly identical to secrete, hide may or may not suggest intent.

hide in the closet
a house hidden in the woods

When could screen be used to replace secrete?

While the synonyms screen and secrete are close in meaning, screen implies an interposing of something that prevents discovery.

a house screened by trees

Examples of secrete in a Sentence

These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Recent Examples on the Web When a starfish is under stress from a predatory attack, this hormone is secreted, stimulating a muscle at the base of the animal’s arm that allows the arm to break off. Elizabeth Rayne, Ars Technica, 14 Sep. 2024 The kidneys can stave off dehydration by secreting less liquid, which keeps symptoms minor for most people. Saima S. Iqbal, Scientific American, 1 Aug. 2024 However, in people with diabetes, the pancreas does not secrete insulin, or the cells are not sensitive to its effects. Melissa Nieves, Verywell Health, 24 Sep. 2024 The male white-nest swiftlet (also called the edible-nest swiftlet) creates the pale nest by secreting saliva from a pair of glands under his tongue. Carlyn Kranking, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for secrete 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for secrete
Verb
  • The document, filed by Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, has been redacted to conceal plot and character details about The Pitt, which is yet to be released.
    Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2024
  • Some are concealing their autism and dealing with the resulting feelings of isolation, while others thrive in the communities and support structures around them.
    Georg Szalai, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Then, there was Tommy Heffernan’s Body Buddies, a dark comedy where a wedding photographer and a mobster keep a body hidden in the middle of an engagement shoot.
    Matt Grobar, Deadline, 4 Nov. 2024
  • And, on September 28, CBP officers at the Pharr International Bridge uncovered nearly 1,950 pounds of a drug believed to be methamphetamine hidden in a tractor-trailer.
    David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Many of those missing are buried in clandestine graves all across the country.
    Geraldine Castro, WIRED, 1 Nov. 2024
  • Once the toast of the Twin Cities, and a large part of the NFL-aware public, the Vikings are in danger of being buried in the NFC North.
    Pioneer Press, Twin Cities, 1 Nov. 2024

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Cite this Entry

“Secrete.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/secrete. Accessed 15 Nov. 2024.

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