in private

1. Not in public; secretly, confidentially. For example, The hearings will be conducted in private, or May I speak to you in private? [Late 1500s] For an antonym, see in public.

Example Sentences

“We just need to find a place where we can work in private,” said Jad, rubbing his chin.

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While the US publicly acknowledges Israel's right to respond to attacks that it ascribes to Hamas, in private US officials have been urging restraint in order to keep this deal alive.

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However, these features are also a reason some argue that trouble will be harder to see coming in private credit.

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While China is at the forefront of government quantum funding, the U.S. still leads in private development and total number of quantum patents.

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He has agreed to give evidence to the committee at some point in the future about his work as the national security adviser more generally, but that session is likely to be in private.

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Related Words

• covert 
• enigmatic 
• reticent 
• taciturn