Covert and Private

Covert

Covert adjective - Screened or sequestered from view.
Usage example: a covert little hideaway that provides a lot of privacy

Private is a synonym for covert in secret topic. In some cases you can use "Private" instead an adjective "Covert", when it comes to topics like clandestine.

Nearby Words: covertly, coverture

Private

Private adjective - Not known or meant to be known by the general populace.
Usage example: that he is planning to retire is private information until he makes a public announcement

Covert is a synonym for private in secret topic. You can use "Covert" instead an adjective "Private".

Both words in one sentence

  • Secret Handshake A Secret Handshake is a gesture used in greeting between two members of a secret society, or a private club, or a covert organization as a means to identify themselves to one another.
  • Psychic Link Though initially done as a covert method of communications on missions, they started doing it for private conversations without even noticing.
    Source: Psychic Link
  • Film / Sicario Bunny-Ears Lawyer: Matt, who wears flip flops to meetings, gleefully sleeps on private planes when not eating "bitchin' peanuts," and is a ruthless and skilled covert operator.
Cite this Source
Private and Covert. (2016). Retrieved 2026, August 16, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/covert/private
Covert & Private. N.p., 2016. Web. 16 Aug. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/covert/private>.
Private or Covert. 2016. Accessed August 16, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/covert/private.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "covert" and "private" have occurred on timeline