secrecy

[see-kruh-see]

noun

plural

secrecies 

1. the state or condition of being secret, hidden, or concealed.

   a meeting held in secrecy.

   Synonyms: covertness, stealth, privacy, confidentiality

2. the state of being apart from other people; privacy; seclusion.

3. ability to keep a secret.

4. the habit or characteristic of being secretive; reticence.

5. Archaic.,  something that is secret or mysterious.

   the secrecies of nature.

secrecy

/ ˈsiːkrɪsɪ /

noun

1. the state or quality of being secret

2. the state of keeping something secret

3. the ability or tendency to keep things secret

Other Word Forms

• antisecrecy adjective
• nonsecrecy noun
• prosecrecy adjective
• semisecrecy noun
• supersecrecy noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of secrecy¹

1375–1425; obsolete secre (< Middle French secré secret ) + -cy; replacing late Middle English secretee, equivalent to secre + -tee -ty ²

Example Sentences

Known for probing the inner workings of secrecy and dissent, director Poitras has spent her career chronicling those who challenge entrenched power.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Slocum, of Public Citizen, said that communities are objecting to a process that has been shrouded in secrecy, with public officials sometimes being asked to sign nondisclosure agreements about the projects.

Read more on Barron's

Slocum, of Public Citizen, said that communities are objecting to a process that has been shrouded in secrecy, with public officials sometimes being asked to sign nondisclosure agreements about the projects.

Read more on Barron's

Contacted by AFP, Catalan regional police sources confirmed that an investigation is ongoing without giving further details because the case remains under judicial secrecy.

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They manipulate, persuade and exploit victims, often encouraging them to isolate themselves socially and requiring urgency and secrecy from the victim.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• confidence 
• confidentiality www.thesaurus.com
• isolation 
• mystery 
• reticence 
• silence 
• solitude