He was seen to eat a piece of cake secretly.
Source: tatoeba (289781)
Secretly
/ˈsiː.kɹɪt.li/
Synonyms for "secretly" (69 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (14)
backbehind closed doorsbehind the curtainbehind the scenesbehind the veilby stealthconfidentiallycovertlyfurtivelyhugger-mugger
Noun(1 words)
Adverb(3 words)
Strong matches (21)
in a cornerin a whisperin camerain darknessin hidlingsin secretin the backgroundin the darkincognitomysteriouslynobody the wiser
Adverb(4 words)
Noun(5 words)
Adjective(1 words)
Related words (34)
Adverb(9 words)
on the qtprivatelyprivately funded hospitalprivately funded programprivately owned companysecretivelysneakinglysurreptitiouslyunderhandedly
on the quieton the slyprivateprivatelyprivilyquietlyrecordscenesecrecysecretslylysotto vocestealthilysub rosasurreptitiouslyunder the breathunder the roseundercoverundergroundwith bated breath
Noun(2 words)
privately developedprivately held company
Preposition(2 words)
Adjective(1 words)
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: back, backstage, behind closed doors, behind the curtain, behind the scenes.
- Sentence evidence is available for secretly, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from derived_reverse, moby, opengloss, wordnet, and related lexical sources.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "secretly".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "secretly"
Keep "secretly" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "secretly" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "secretly", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "secretly" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
1 entriesadverb of manner
More specific
4 entriesCollocations
6 entriessecretly adoptedsecretly fundedsecretly hopedsecretly maintainedsecretly plannedsecretly recorded
Inflections
2 entriesmore secretlymost secretly
Derivations
4 entriesSample sentences
12 total sentences available.
He was seen to take out the book secretly.
Source: tatoeba (291277)
He entered the garden secretly.
Source: tatoeba (303949)
Even during work, I secretly indulge my Internet addiction.
Source: tatoeba (327494)
Showing 4 of 12 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "secretly"?
Closest matches include back, backstage, behind closed doors, behind the curtain, behind the scenes.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "secretly"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.