surreptitious

adjective

ˌsər-əp-ˈti-shəs How to pronounce surreptitious (audio)
Definition of surreptitiousnext
as in clandestine
undertaken or done so as to escape being observed or known by others a private investigator adept at taking surreptitious pictures of adulterous couples

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word surreptitious distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of surreptitious are clandestine, covert, furtive, secret, stealthy, and underhanded. While all these words mean "done without attracting observation," surreptitious applies to action or behavior done secretly often with skillful avoidance of detection and in violation of custom, law, or authority.

the surreptitious stockpiling of weapons

When would clandestine be a good substitute for surreptitious?

The synonyms clandestine and surreptitious are sometimes interchangeable, but clandestine implies secrecy usually for an evil, illicit, or unauthorized purpose and often emphasizes the fear of being discovered.

a clandestine meeting of conspirators

In what contexts can covert take the place of surreptitious?

While the synonyms covert and surreptitious are close in meaning, covert stresses the fact of not being open or declared.

covert intelligence operations

When might furtive be a better fit than surreptitious?

While in some cases nearly identical to surreptitious, furtive implies a sly or cautious stealthiness.

lovers exchanging furtive glances

Where would secret be a reasonable alternative to surreptitious?

The meanings of secret and surreptitious largely overlap; however, secret implies concealment on any grounds for any motive.

met at a secret location

When could stealthy be used to replace surreptitious?

The words stealthy and surreptitious are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, stealthy suggests taking pains to avoid being seen or heard especially in some misdoing.

the stealthy step of a burglar

When is underhanded a more appropriate choice than surreptitious?

The words underhanded and surreptitious can be used in similar contexts, but underhanded stresses fraud or deception.

an underhanded trick

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 surreptitious That surreptitious tally of deaths recorded by hospitals stood at 30,304 as of Friday, according to Dr. Amir Parasta, a German-Iranian eye surgeon who prepared a report of the data. —Kay Armin Serjoie, Time, 25 Jan. 2026 Jamian Juliano-Villani’s friezelike painting Women, 2024, offers a surreptitious turn on Marcel Duchamp and Eadweard Muybridge by featuring an ostensibly female figure with too many (and ambiguously gendered) appendages. —Tim Griffin, Artforum, 1 Dec. 2025 Haeckel’s Italian trip was part of a surreptitious alternate life plan. —Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2025 The notion of a man of Ballmer’s wealth — $153 billion; most in professional sports and top 10 on the planet — being able to procure and retain elite talent through surreptitious ways is the worst nightmare for fans of the league’s other 29 teams. —Sam Amick, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for surreptitious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for surreptitious
  1. clandestine
  2. covert
  3. sneak
  4. undercover
  5. underground
  6. private
  7. sneaking
Adjective
  • Emergency passports handed off at clandestine locations.
    — Shannon K. Kingston, ABC News, 30 Mar. 2026
  • 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
Definition of clandestine
Adjective
  • 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
  • Movies set in the world of top-secret spycraft and covert operations have entertained audiences for decades.
    — Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Mar. 2026
Definition of covert
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
Definition of sneak
Adjective
  • Some of the ammunition was purchased from co-conspirators by undercover officers, prosecutors said.
    — Sierra van der Brug, Oc Register, 31 Mar. 2026
  • 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
Definition of undercover
Adjective
  • 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
  • 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
Definition of underground
Adjective
  • 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
  • Fundraising for the project through private donations also drew controversy.
    — Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026
Definition of private
Adjective
  • Contributor Yelena Alpert has a sneaking suspicion that these Frette slippers will last a lifetime, attributing her hypothesis to the shoe’s superior quality.
    — Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 10 Mar. 2026
  • The package includes free breakfast for your plus-one (no more sneaking snacks away from the conference), a signature drink each night (perfect for unwinding after your workday ends), and 1,000 bonus IHG One Rewards points.
    — Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 23 Apr. 2025
Definition of sneaking

Browse Nearby Words

surrender (to)
surreptitious
surreptitiously
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Cite this Entry

“Surreptitious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surreptitious. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on surreptitious

Nglish: Translation of surreptitious for Spanish Speakers

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