Secretively: meaning, definitions and examples

Used when someone is keeping information hidden, often out of shyness or a desire for privacy.

• He glanced around secretively before sharing the news.
• She secretively hid the letter in her drawer.

Used when someone is moving in a careful, quiet manner to avoid detection.

• The cat approached the bird stealthily.
• He stealthily slipped out of the meeting.

Used when actions are deliberately hidden, often for strategic or deceptive purposes.

• The agent operated covertly to gather intelligence.
• They covertly implemented the new policy.

Used for actions that are carried out secretly, especially because they would not be approved of.

• She surreptitiously glanced at her phone during the meeting.
• He surreptitiously recorded the conversation.

This word is best used when describing actions or behaviors done in a hidden or concealed manner to avoid detection.

• She glanced around secretively before slipping the note into his pocket.
• He secretively left the house in the middle of the night.

Best used for situations where things are unknown, unexplained, or kept in secrecy, often evoking curiosity.

• There was something mysterious about the old house on the hill.
• She received a mysterious package with no return address.

Ideal for describing something or someone that is mysterious and difficult to comprehend, often carrying a sense of intrigue.

• The enigmatic smile on her face made everyone wonder what she was thinking.
• He was an enigmatic figure, rarely revealing anything about his past.

Suitable for situations when describing messages, statements, or behaviors that are deliberately obscure or hard to understand.

• The message was cryptic, leaving everyone puzzled about its true meaning.
• Her response was so cryptic that no one could decipher what she really meant.