closeted

adjective

clos·​et·​ed ˈklä-zə-təd How to pronounce closeted (audio)
ˈklȯ-
Synonyms of closetednext
: closet entry 3 sense 3
a closeted gay man

Examples of closeted in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Cohn, who was a closeted gay man, was invariably attracted to what could be called über-Gentiles—tall, fair-haired, blue-eyed. — Kai Bird, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026 The hosts and reps are wives and mothers too (or the gay best friends of wives and mothers, or at least the closeted neighbor of wives and mothers). — Hannah Engler Harvey, Longreads, 30 July 2026 On the show, Barone plays Grace, the perfectionist older sister of Benny’s closeted freshman, trapped in a relationship with a noxious fail-bro played by Adam DiMarco. — Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 27 July 2026 His father was a closeted gay man who came out very late in life, then passed away at the age of 80. — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 26 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for closeted

Word History

First Known Use

1969, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of closeted was in 1969

Rhymes for closeted

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Browse Nearby Words

closet drama
closeted
close the door
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Cite this Entry

“Closeted.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/closeted. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

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