as in clandestine
undertaken or done so as to escape being observed or known by others
an influential Washington lobbyist who has been involved in a number of backstairs deals to limit regulation of financial institutions
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Recent Examples of backstairs
And in North Carolina, a boyish trial lawyer with jury-pleasing charm (John Edwards) knocked off Lauch Faircloth, a GOP senator who played a backstairs role in getting Kenneth Starr appointed as independent counsel.
—
Walter Shapiro, The New Republic, 6 June 2019
Walter Shapiro, The New Republic, 6 June 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backstairs
Adjective
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Emergency passports handed off at clandestine locations.—
Shannon K. Kingston,
ABC News,
30 Mar. 2026
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Jerkins’ family operation included his cousin, Robert Smith, known as Big Bert, with whom Brandy began a clandestine relationship as the recording progressed.—
Jackson Howard,
Pitchfork,
29 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Some of the ammunition was purchased from co-conspirators by undercover officers, prosecutors said.—
Sierra van der Brug,
Oc Register,
31 Mar. 2026
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Working with a different undercover officer, this time in a European city, Chalker successfully extracted Bernadine to America.—
David D. Kirkpatrick,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Get Ready: Katy Perry Has Released a Sneak Peek of Her New Song And the internet has receipts.—
Mehera Bonner,
Marie Claire,
15 Mar. 2017
Adjective
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Some researchers believe ancient peoples sought relief from heat in the caves, which were fed by fresh underground water.—
Ryan Brennan
April 4,
Miami Herald,
4 Apr. 2026
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The New York Times, citing US intelligence reports, said Iranian personnel have been digging out underground missile bunkers and silos struck by American and Israeli bombs and returning them to operation hours after attacks.—
Arsalan Shahla,
Fortune,
4 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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That secret, a CNN investigation has found, centered on China’s covert plans to massively expand its nuclear ambitions.—
Tamara Qiblawi,
CNN Money,
1 Apr. 2026
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Movies set in the world of top-secret spycraft and covert operations have entertained audiences for decades.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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While some people with private insurance pay zero or very little, others pay hundreds of dollars each month on top of other costs for their diabetes, like pumps, blood glucose sensors and other supplies.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
2 Apr. 2026
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Fundraising for the project through private donations also drew controversy.—
Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Backstairs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backstairs. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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