Word Explorer

Clandestine

/klænˈdɛstɪn/

Done or kept in secret, sometimes to conceal an illicit or improper purpose.

📖 Definitions of "Clandestine"

adjective

1
Done or kept in secret, sometimes to conceal an illicit or improper purpose.
"clandestine military operations"
2
(of a person or lodge) Not recognized as a regular member.

10 synonyms found via WordNet and Google Books.

Word	Definition
surreptitious	Stealthy, furtive, well hidden, covert (especially movements).
secretnoun	(countable) A piece of knowledge that is hidden and intended to be kept hidden.
cloak-and-dagger	Marked by menacing furtive secrecy, often with a melodramatic tint or espionage involved.
hugger-muggernoun	Secret, clandestine, sly.
undercovernoun	Performed or happening in secret.
hush-hushnoun	Secret, not spoken of (or spoken of only in hushed whispers between insiders).
hole-and-corner	Conducted in secret; clandestine.
on the quiet	(informal) surreptitiously
covertnoun	(figuratively) Secret, surreptitious, concealed.
undergroundnoun	(not comparable) Below the ground; below the surface of the Earth.

Found via reverse dictionary — words that share a conceptual meaning.

Word	Definition
hole-and-corner	Conducted in secret; clandestine.
cloak-and-dagger	Marked by menacing furtive secrecy, often with a melodramatic tint or espionage involved.
on the quiet	(informal) surreptitiously
covert	(figuratively) Secret, surreptitious, concealed.
undercover	Performed or happening in secret.
surreptitious	Stealthy, furtive, well hidden, covert (especially movements).
secret	Being or kept hidden.
hush-hush	Secret, not spoken of (or spoken of only in hushed whispers between insiders).
hugger-mugger	Secret, clandestine, sly.
underground	(not comparable) Below the ground; below the surface of the Earth.
secretly	In secret, covertly.
secretive	Having an inclination to secrecy.
secrecynoun	Concealment; the condition of being secret or hidden.
occult	Related to the occult; pertaining to mysticism, magic, or astrology.
confidential	Kept, or meant to be kept, secret within a certain circle of persons; not intended to be known publicly
confidentialitynoun	(uncountable) The property of being confidential.
private	Belonging or pertaining to an individual person, group of people, or entity that is not the state.
closed	Not available for operation, participation, interaction, etc.
privacynoun	(uncountable) The state of being secluded from the presence, sight, or knowledge of others.
hidden	Located or positioned out of sight; not visually apparent.