secret society

American  

noun

1. an organization, as a fraternal society, the members of which take secret initiation oaths, share secret passwords and rites, and are bound to assist each other.

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secret society British  

noun

1. a society or organization that conceals its rites, activities, etc, from those who are not members

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Etymology

Origin of secret society

First recorded in 1820–30

Example Sentences

La Mutua formed in 1900 as a secret society to assist members fighting against the theft of their land and water rights.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 16, 2024

“It is a pleasure to stand before 1,500 of the most little known and elusive of that secret society or conspiracy we call the Federalist Society,” he said.

From Salon • Oct. 12, 2023

Getting three yellows in the opening half, two of them for head-to-shoulder incidents, none of which were upgraded to red by the secret society in the bunker, hardly helped their cause.

From BBC • Sep. 30, 2023

However ambivalent, Juan endeavors to protect his son from the Order, a secret society of wealthy families who threaten to use Gaspar as their next medium.

From New York Times • Feb. 6, 2023

What a pitiful and horrendous idea to build a secret society around.

From "Dactyl Hill Squad" by Daniel José Older