in private

phrase

Synonyms of in privatenext
: not openly or in public

Examples of in private in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Gates said that in private, some technologists agree with his current stance, including Microsoft AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman. — Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 26 Aug. 2026 Athletes can receive massages in private rooms or meditate in the open area. — Tamerra Griffin, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2026 CityNews Toronto reports that the largest art fraud case in the history of Canada took at least 1,000 fakes off the market, though there may be thousands more still in private hands. — Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 21 Aug. 2026 When asked if the United States could target China for doing business with Iran, Bessent said many conversations were best to have in private. — Reuters, NBC news, 21 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for in private

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of in private was in the 15th century

Rhymes for in private

See All Rhymes for in private

Browse Nearby Words

in-print
in private
in-process
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“In private.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/in%20private. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on in private

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for in private

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All