closet 1 of 3

noun

ˈklä-zət How to pronounce closet (audio)
Definition of closetnext
1
as in pantry
a built-in space for storage behind a door a broom closet for the vacuum, carpet sweeper, ironing board, etc.

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in room
an area within a building that has been set apart from surrounding space by a wall a huge walk-in closet

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3
as in cupboard
a storage case typically having doors and shelves a china closet in the Hepplewhite style

Synonyms & Similar Words

closet

2 of 3

verb

as in to house
to close or shut in by or as if by barriers he closeted himself in his study, vowing not to emerge until he had finished the term paper

Synonyms & Similar Words

closet

3 of 3

adjective

as in clandestine

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Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of closet
Noun
These inexpensive solutions can make a big difference in kitchens, bathrooms, closets and home offices, where clutter builds fastest and pricier organizing systems from specialty stores can run into the hundreds of dollars. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 20 Aug. 2026 The inexpensive pieces can help reshape kitchens, bathrooms, closets, bedrooms and home offices for a fraction of what specialty retailers charge for similar storage solutions. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Charlotte Observer, 20 Aug. 2026
Verb
France spoke at length about being cast on the show while he was still closeted to his family, which led to his coming out just two days before the premiere on Tuesday's episode of the Dinner's on Me podcast, hosted by Modern Family star Jesse Tyler Ferguson. — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 23 June 2026 At a time when most employees were closeted, a group of the company’s gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans employees came together to form the Lambda Network to reshape Kodak’s corporate culture and company policies. — Tamar Carroll, The Conversation, 18 June 2026
Adjective
Cool Knits No matter the season, a lightweight yet luxurious knit is a forever closet classic—and this spring the offerings are as cool as ever. — Laura Jackson, Vogue, 28 Feb. 2025 Was this a closet right-winger keeping tabs on the socialists? — Joshua Kaplan, ProPublica, 4 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for closet
Recent Examples of Synonyms for closet
  1. pantry
  2. room
  3. cupboard
  4. house
  5. clandestine
  6. cabinet
  7. covert
  8. locker
Noun
  • The no-kill animal shelter will care for dogs, cats, and small companion mammals and will also include a low cost veterinary clinic, a pantry of pet food and supplies and public spaces.
    — Anna Ortiz, Chicago Tribune, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Aluminum foil is a kitchen classic everyone has in their pantry.
    — Bianca Lambert, Southern Living, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of pantry
Noun
  • Trainers then lead participants in a 45-minute full-body workout before the class moves into another room fashioned as a recovery space with art and quiet music.
    — Sneha Dhandapani, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026
  • There was a pause, as a room full of songwriters — the event was specifically for the Recording Academy’s Songwriters & Composers Wing — erupted into laughter.
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of room
Noun
  • Inside, antique art hangs on walls, tamgroute (local pottery) lines small alcoves, board games are stacked inside cupboards, and coffee table books have plenty to dive into.
    — Katie Silcox, Vogue, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Instead of rushing out to buy more cleaning products before your next dinner party, check your cupboard first.
    — The Spruce, The Spruce, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of cupboard
Verb
  • Heinz’s London office houses a working chef’s kitchen where recipes are tested every week, and retail partners are brought in to taste products.
    — Sam Birchall, Fortune, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Florida houses 11 sites controlled by the National Parks Service, which includes three National Parks in South Florida, located in Miami-Dade and Monroe counties.
    — Sarah Perkel, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of house
Adjective
  • The clandestine transits have changed the game for the Middle Eastern oil industry.
    — David Goldman, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026
  • That same teen sensation left West Africa due to troubles from its dictatorship, and moved to Paris under cover of night and a clandestine air flight.
    — A.D. Amorosi, Variety, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of clandestine
Noun
  • This isn’t like, say, opening a cabinet or swiping a bag of gummy bears from a table.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 24 Aug. 2026
  • The good news is vanity cabinets are available in different heights to compensate for this.
    — Tim Carter, Hartford Courant, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of cabinet
Adjective
  • Bannerman centers on the eponymous Paul Bannerman, a lethal covert operative who convinces a group of the world’s most deadly assassins to quit the spy game for a chance to lead normal lives in the suburbs of Connecticut.
    — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 20 Aug. 2026
  • In Asia, there is no present analog to the major shocks of the 1970s, which drove Seoul and Taipei to pursue covert nuclear programs.
    — Kurt M. Campbell, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of covert
Noun
  • The other is lockers that can quickly be exchanged between cars, though that increases wait times.
    — Brad Templeton, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Tatsuya Imai has a new locker mate inside the Houston Astros’ home clubhouse.
    — Chandler Rome, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of locker

Phrases Containing closet

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closest
closet
closeted
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Cite this Entry

“Closet.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/closet. Accessed 27 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on closet

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about closet

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