1
as in shady
given to acting in secret and to concealing one's intentions
his opponent's sneaky campaign manager was clearly up to something
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in sneak
undertaken or done so as to escape being observed or known by others
a sneaky plan to replace the priceless painting with a copy
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sneaky
And with veteran linebacker Bobby Wagner still on the open market, a value linebacker in Chenal is a sneaky good add.
—
Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Mar. 2026
The sneaky bottoms look like traditional denim, but they’re actually made from an ultra-soft, lightweight cotton material.
—Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 16 Mar. 2026
Another small, portable container intended for pills and medication, this slim, travel-friendly box is a sneaky place to store bracelets, earrings, rings, and more.
—Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 15 Mar. 2026
If your backyard attracts squirrels, consider the NETVUE Bird Seed Guard, a foolproof add-on that helps prevent waste and keeps sneaky creatures from stealing seed.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sneaky
Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Mar. 2026
The sneaky bottoms look like traditional denim, but they’re actually made from an ultra-soft, lightweight cotton material.
—Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 16 Mar. 2026
Another small, portable container intended for pills and medication, this slim, travel-friendly box is a sneaky place to store bracelets, earrings, rings, and more.
—Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 15 Mar. 2026
If your backyard attracts squirrels, consider the NETVUE Bird Seed Guard, a foolproof add-on that helps prevent waste and keeps sneaky creatures from stealing seed.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sneaky
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sneaky
Adjective
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In addition to serving as a showrunner, Levy stars as Nicky, an openly gay pastor who gets wrapped up in a shady underworld plot with his flailing sister Morgan (Taylor Ortega).—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
1 Apr. 2026
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They get captured by Hungarian gangsters and have to fight (and kill) their way out of an inn run by a shady former dance prodigy (Uma Thurman).—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
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
Adjective
-
The stage seems set for a solemn farewell—the first in a series of sly indirections.—
Giles Harvey,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Boston and director Weronika Tofilska (who helmed the premiere episode, among others) draw out the gruesome undertones of familiar nuptial tropes with a sly and twisted sense of humor.—
Angie Han,
HollywoodReporter,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
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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The pivot to stealthy seafood comes at a critical time for the industry.—
J.m. Hirsch,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Mar. 2026
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By extending its range and enabling it to detect targets without emitting radar signals, the upgrades would allow the aircraft to remain stealthy for longer while maintaining its edge in long-range air combat.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
23 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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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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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
Cite this Entry
“Sneaky.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sneaky. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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