sneak 1 of 3

verb

ˈsnēk How to pronounce sneak (audio)
Definition of sneaknext
1
as in to lurk
to move about in a sly or secret manner the little kids sneak around upstairs when they're supposed to be in bed

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in to infiltrate
to introduce in a gradual, secret, or clever way sneak the topic into the conversation any way you can

Synonyms & Similar Words

sneak

2 of 3

adjective

as in clandestine
undertaken or done so as to escape being observed or known by others a sneak attack on the nation's capitol

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

sneak

3 of 3

noun

as in weasel
someone who acts in a sly and secret manner "Why, you little sneak," the mother exclaimed, "you made my birthday present right under my nose!"

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word sneak distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of sneak are lurk, skulk, and slink. While all these words mean "to behave so as to escape attention," sneak may add an implication of entering or leaving a place or evading a difficulty by furtive or underhanded methods.

sneaked out early

When could lurk be used to replace sneak?

The words lurk and sneak can be used in similar contexts, but lurk implies a lying in wait in a place of concealment and often suggests an evil intent.

suspicious men lurking in alleyways

When is skulk a more appropriate choice than sneak?

In some situations, the words skulk and sneak are roughly equivalent. However, skulk suggests more strongly cowardice or fear or sinister intent.

something skulking in the shadows

Where would slink be a reasonable alternative to sneak?

The meanings of slink and sneak largely overlap; however, slink implies moving stealthily often merely to escape attention.

slunk around the corner

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 sneak
Verb
Season 3 snuck in at Number 19, despite only being on the platform for four days. —Jake Kanter, Deadline, 23 July 2025 Honoria sneaks off to find Jinny locked away in an upstairs room. —Maureen Lee Lenker Published, EW.com, 23 July 2025
Adjective
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
Noun
Direct comps are again ornery since the sneaks include varied amounts of screenings and non-traditional opening days. —Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 10 June 2025 Or, more accurately, the pearly gates that stand just outside of heaven, guarding the way lest the unworthy sneak in. —Alissa Wilkinson, New York Times, 29 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for sneak
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sneak
  1. lurk
  2. infiltrate
  3. clandestine
  4. weasel
  5. slip
  6. worm
  7. covert
  8. skunk
Verb
  • This potential baby planet lurks at the base of one of the disk's spiral arms.
    — Robert Lea, Space.com, 21 July 2025
  • The threat of zebra mussels has always lurked over Colorado’s borders.
    — Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 20 July 2025
Definition of lurk
Verb
  • Of course, the increasingly partisan, combative, and at times, chaotic atmosphere had infiltrated the modern Congress before Johnson or his Senate counterpart, Majority Leader John Thune, took the gavel.
    — Savannah Kuchar, USA Today, 3 Aug. 2025
  • Territorial fans who didn’t want commercial pop audiences infiltrating their scene in the first place are never too thrilled about new listeners or the pop-leaning pivots from their rock gods.
    — Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 3 Aug. 2025
Definition of infiltrate
Adjective
  • Speaking with Robbie Fox on the My Mom's Basement podcast, the former WWE Champion shared the story of the clandestine meeting.
    — Andrew Ravens‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 July 2025
  • Even when targeting America’s enemies, not all are supportive of clandestine cyberattacks.
    — Thomas Brewster, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
Definition of clandestine
Noun
  • Skunks are mammals that are more like weasels than rodents.
    — Arricca Elin SanSone, Southern Living, 22 June 2025
  • But some, including pigeons, weasels, skunks, coyotes and most rodents, are excluded from such rules.
    — Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 15 May 2025
Definition of weasel
Verb
  • Asian stocks closed lower, European markets opened down, and S&P 500 futures slipped.
    — Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 1 Aug. 2025
  • Over the course of the operation, two F/A-18E planes, valued at around $60 million apiece, accidentally slipped off aircraft carriers and sank into the Red Sea.
    — Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA Today, 1 Aug. 2025
Definition of slip
Verb
  • Technically, the Singapore Sling is not a tiki drink, but this tropical concoction has wormed its way into the tiki canon.
    — Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 26 July 2025
  • From being the face of a labor action against Hooters as a teen to filming on The Hills years before her own reality TV breakthrough on Vanderpump Rules to partying with Paris Hilton at Les Deux and dating John Mayer, Scheana Shay has wormed her way into every potential site of 2000s nostalgia.
    — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 23 July 2025
Definition of worm
Adjective
  • The bill would ban face coverings during public enforcement operations unless medically required or part of a covert investigation.
    — Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 July 2025
  • The human touch is also crucial for ensuring accountability with agentic AI use, particularly for security considerations like accountability and distinguishing a genuine user from a covert threat.
    — Imran Aftab, Forbes.com, 17 July 2025
Definition of covert
Noun
  • The animals included 12 bats, nine racoons, eight skunks, two groundhogs, a bobcat, three cats and a fox, data shows.
    — Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 14 July 2025
  • People and domestic animals should always avoid physical contact with wild animals such as raccoons, bats, foxes, skunks, otters, bobcats, coyotes, which carry a higher risk of human exposure and a need for rabies post-exposure treatment.
    — Orlando Sentinel Staff, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 June 2025
Definition of skunk

Browse Nearby Words

snazzy
sneak
sneaked
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Cite this Entry

“Sneak.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sneak. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.

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