hush-hush

adjective

ˈhəsh-ˌhəsh How to pronounce hush-hush (audio)
Definition of hush-hushnext
1
as in confidential
not known or meant to be known by the general populace the reporter suspected there was a hush-hush reason why the company agreed to the deal

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in clandestine
undertaken or done so as to escape being observed or known by others top-echelon diplomats met in a hush-hush conference in a last-ditch effort to head off an international crisis

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of hush-hush And now, Swift’s fans are set to descend on the city, accompanied by hordes of media who until recently had little to no concrete information about the hush-hush affair. — Alli Rosenbloom, CNN Money, 1 July 2026 Jean’s Beach at the Old Stove Pub The hush-hush purchase of the Old Stove Pub by Max Chodorow had everyone chattering for months. — Nancy Kane, Curbed, 25 June 2026 Residents try to keep this coastal gem hush-hush, but can't seem to keep the idyllic scenery, trendy shops, and great restaurants entirely under wraps. — Kira Turnbull, Travel + Leisure, 6 June 2026 Holden Seidlitz, who was in the crowd, reports on the finale of the singer’s hush-hush mini comeback tour. — Caroline Mimbs Nyce, New Yorker, 5 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for hush-hush
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hush-hush
  1. confidential
  2. clandestine
  3. secret
  4. undercover
  5. private
  6. covert
  7. underground
Adjective
  • The issue becomes much more serious if someone with confidential advance knowledge uses that information for personal financial gain.
    — Robert Rapier, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • In May 2022, the SEC said, Wolfe contacted Satsky seeking confidential updates on the regulatory approval process.
    — Chase Jordan August 27, Charlotte Observer, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of confidential
Adjective
  • The clandestine manner in which LG monitors were installing ad-pushing software onto third-party devices, however, remains seriously concerning.
    — Scharon Harding, ArsTechnica, 24 Aug. 2026
  • The clandestine transits have changed the game for the Middle Eastern oil industry.
    — David Goldman, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of clandestine
Adjective
  • Back at school, Thom hangs out on the bleachers for a secret meeting with the creepy home invader from Robert’s party.
    — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Parton has several posthumous projects to look forward to, one of which is a secret song.
    — Isabelle Farina, Variety, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of secret
Adjective
  • According to government documents, an undercover DHS agent attended a meeting of ICE protesters at Prince of Peace in February.
    — Meg Anderson, NPR, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Starring Steve Coogan, Legends chronicles the lives of undercover British customs investigators.
    — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of undercover
Adjective
  • Some are worried about the legal implications of handling such large quantities of previously private game builds as well.
    — Kyle Orland, ArsTechnica, 30 Aug. 2026
  • In the village of Bilbasovka in eastern Ukraine, a 13-year-old child and an adult died after Russian troops dropped bombs on private houses Sunday, according to local official Vadim Lyakh.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of private
Adjective
  • Psyops can be overt or covert, but they’re designed with a clear objective, said Jan Goldman, a professor of intelligence and security studies at The Citadel who has also worked on psyops.
    — Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026
  • In a recent presentation, OpenAI researchers described how AI agents used a covert message board to plan their next moves.
    — Alex Heath, Time, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of covert
Adjective
  • The United States conducted its first-ever underground nuclear test, dubbed the Rainier test, at the Nevada Test Site.
    — USA Today, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Premee Mohamed, Wickhills (Tor Books, September 8) A fantastical spy thriller set on the streets and underground passages of a magical city?
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of underground

Browse Nearby Words

hushes (up)
hush-hush
hushing
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Cite this Entry

“Hush-hush.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hush-hush. Accessed 3 Sep. 2026.

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Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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