Openly and Privately

Opposite meaning words

Openly adverb - In an open way.

Show all Definitions

Privately is an antonym for openly in frankly topic.

Nearby Word: openness

Privately adverb - In a manner intended to prevent knowledge or awareness by others.

Usage example: she confided to me privately that she was considering divorce

Show all Definitions

Openly is an antonym for privately.

Alkin in Heroes of Might and Magic III was given a post in Tatalia's military by King Trallosk, who openly dislikes Alkin and privately hoped he would get himself killed on the battlefield.

Source: Uriah Gambit aka: The Uriah Gambit
After hooking up with Shinji she is way nicer to him, at the beginning privately but later openly.

Source: Took a Level in Kindness
She privately admits that she's always loved him like a little brother, but feels unworthy of expressing such sentiments openly to her master.

Source: Lady and Knight

Cite this Source

Privately and Openly. (2016). Retrieved 2026, August 15, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/openly/privately

Openly & Privately. N.p., 2016. Web. 15 Aug. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/openly/privately>.

Privately or Openly. 2016. Accessed August 15, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/openly/privately.

Google Ngram Viewer shows how "openly" and "privately" have occurred on timeline