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 would have been worn by members of the Ngil secret society.

From BBC • Dec. 19, 2023

“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

Out in the United States on Tuesday from Hogarth, it centers on a medium, Juan, and his son, Gaspar, as they try to outmaneuver an evil secret society bent on eternal life.

From New York Times • Feb. 6, 2023

What better way to defang a secret society than to make public its most secret information?

From "Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything" by Steven D. Levitt