kept in secrecy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "kept in secrecy" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to something that is intentionally hidden or not disclosed to others. Example: "The details of the project were kept in secrecy to prevent any leaks before the official announcement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Things are kept in secrecy.

The New York Times

According to the law, investigations should be kept in secrecy until the probe is officially concluded," deputy prosecutor Mustafa Soliman said.

Los Angeles Times

The role and activities of the MIS was kept in secrecy for more than 30 years; the few records about its activities were finally made available to the public in 1972 under the Freedom of Information Act, however much still remains unknown today.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

A few residents in this town of around 6,500 said details about the memorial had been kept in strict secrecy to avoid news media attention.

The New York Times

The code, generated at manufacture, would be kept in strictest secrecy by federal agencies.

TechCrunch

River's identity was kept in top secrecy, and only a few members of the cast and crew were issued the correct ending of the script.

Wikipedia

River's identity was kept in top secrecy; the script read at the read-through had a false ending, and only a select few were issued the real script.

Wikipedia

They point out that much of the TIF money was diverted from public schools, parks, libraries and other taxing districts and was instead put into accounts that Mr. Daley controlled and kept shrouded in secrecy.

The New York Times

In today's issue of the Daily Mail, the self-styled voice of middle England, a headline blared: "Who invited him?" A report on the Guardian's Web site said that Romney had breached protocol by revealing that he had met with Sir John Sawers, the head of MI6, the British intelligence agency, whose activities are kept shrouded in secrecy.

The New Yorker

WASHINGTON — A federal judge ruled Wednesday that the National Security Agency's program of surveillance without warrants was illegal, rejecting the Obama administration's effort to keep shrouded in secrecy one of the most disputed counterterrorism policies of former President George W. Bush.

The New York Times

Members of the executive had insisted they would bring long-running complaints to a head at the meeting, and demand an end to "a culture of financial secrecy" after being "kept in the dark for years".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using more specific synonyms like "confidential" or "undisclosed" if the nuance of the secrecy needs to be emphasized.

Common error

While "kept in secrecy" is acceptable, it can sometimes sound less formal than alternatives like "remained confidential" in business or academic writing. Choose the phrasing that best suits the tone of your document.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "kept in secrecy" functions as a descriptive element, often modifying a noun or noun phrase to indicate that information or activities are being intentionally concealed. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

33%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "kept in secrecy" is grammatically correct and, according to Ludwig AI, usable in English. It denotes the act of intentionally concealing information. While its frequency is relatively rare, it appears primarily in news and media contexts, with occasional usage in encyclopedic and wiki entries. For formal business or academic writing, synonyms like "remained confidential" or "maintained in confidence" may be more appropriate to enhance the tone. Always ensure clarity regarding who is keeping the information secret and from whom.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

kept secret

A more concise and direct alternative.

remained confidential

Highlights the sensitive nature of the information.

maintained in confidence

Focuses on the trust and discretion involved in keeping something secret.

remained undisclosed

Highlights the state of not being revealed or made public.

held back from disclosure

Emphasizes the active withholding of information.

concealed from view

Highlights the effort to hide something from being seen or known.

shrouded in mystery

Suggests an atmosphere of intrigue and uncertainty.

kept under wraps

An idiomatic expression meaning to keep something secret until a planned time.

not brought to light

Emphasizes that something has not been revealed or made public.

hidden from public knowledge

Focuses on preventing information from becoming widely known.

FAQs

What does "kept in secrecy" mean?

The phrase "kept in secrecy" means that something was intentionally hidden or not disclosed to others. It suggests a deliberate effort to maintain confidentiality.

What are some alternatives to "kept in secrecy"?

Alternatives include "remained confidential", "maintained in confidence", or "held back from disclosure", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

How can I use "kept in secrecy" in a sentence?

Example: "The details of the negotiations were kept in secrecy to avoid disrupting the deal."

Is "kept in secrecy" formal or informal?

The phrase is generally neutral, but in highly formal contexts, consider alternatives like "maintained in confidence" or "remained undisclosed".