secret society

noun

1. an organization, as a fraternal society, the members of which take secret initiation oaths, share secret passwords and rites, and are bound to assist each other.

secret society

noun

1. a society or organization that conceals its rites, activities, etc, from those who are not members

Word History and Origins

Origin of secret society¹

First recorded in 1820–30

Example Sentences

La Mutua formed in 1900 as a secret society to assist members fighting against the theft of their land and water rights.

From Los Angeles Times

“In some sense, it feels better to believe that there’s a secret society controlling everything than believing that entropy and chaos rule.”

From Los Angeles Times

He was business manager of The Yale Daily News and a member of the exclusive Skull and Bones secret society.

From New York Times

The movie, written and directed by Kobi Libii, is a satire about a secret society of Black people dedicated to making white lives easier.

From Seattle Times

By incarnating this trope in the form of a secret society set in present-day America, the film critiques the ways in which Black people continue to be forced into deference toward white people.

From New York Times