clandestine

adjective

klan-ˈde-stən How to pronounce clandestine (audio)
Definition of clandestinenext
as in undercover
undertaken or done so as to escape being observed or known by others I took a clandestine peek at the price tag on the diamond necklace

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word clandestine distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of clandestine are covert, furtive, secret, stealthy, surreptitious, and underhanded. While all these words mean "done without attracting observation," clandestine implies secrecy usually for an evil, illicit, or unauthorized purpose and often emphasizes the fear of being discovered.

a clandestine meeting of conspirators

When is it sensible to use covert instead of clandestine?

The words covert and clandestine can be used in similar contexts, but covert stresses the fact of not being open or declared.

covert intelligence operations

When might furtive be a better fit than clandestine?

While the synonyms furtive and clandestine are close in meaning, furtive implies a sly or cautious stealthiness.

lovers exchanging furtive glances

Where would secret be a reasonable alternative to clandestine?

In some situations, the words secret and clandestine are roughly equivalent. However, secret implies concealment on any grounds for any motive.

met at a secret location

When can stealthy be used instead of clandestine?

Although the words stealthy and clandestine have much in common, stealthy suggests taking pains to avoid being seen or heard especially in some misdoing.

the stealthy step of a burglar

When is surreptitious a more appropriate choice than clandestine?

The meanings of surreptitious and clandestine largely overlap; however, 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 could underhanded be used to replace clandestine?

While in some cases nearly identical to clandestine, 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 clandestine There is a First World War U-boat that somehow glides from underneath Lake Michigan all the way to Croatia, commandeered by its captain, post-Armistice, for new and clandestine uses. —Kathryn Schulz, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025 Co-created by The New York Times bestselling author Carr and season 1 creator and showrunner David DiGilio, Dark Wolf follows Ben Edwards (Taylor Kitsch) on his journey from the SEALs to the clandestine side of CIA special operations. —Susan Young, PEOPLE, 11 Sep. 2025 The Bundy family’s statement noted this and said their destination was not clandestine, as the FBI document alleged. —Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 7 Sep. 2025 The result was the Commandos, who operated in clandestine raids behind the lines to harass the enemy with remarkable success. —New Atlas, 7 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for clandestine
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clandestine
  1. undercover
  2. covert
  3. underground
  4. sneak
  5. private
  6. surreptitious
Adjective
  • Though the story that White had told the undercover officers didn’t suggest an intentional killing, he was charged with murder.
    — Eren Orbey, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2025
  • Border czar Tom Homan received $50,000 in cash from undercover FBI agents.
    — Kate Wolffe October 9, Sacbee.com, 9 Oct. 2025
Definition of undercover
Adjective
  • Checkmate has done lots of covert ops spy nonsense in comics throughout the years, and notable works with Batman on occasion.
    — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 11 Oct. 2025
  • Checkmate, which is another element that will continue in future DCU projects, is a covert watchdog agency.
    — Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 10 Oct. 2025
Definition of covert
Adjective
  • All living Gaza hostages are now free 20 living hostages were returned to Israel by Hamas after being held in underground tunnels with little food, water, or medical care for two years.
    — Diane Brady, Fortune, 14 Oct. 2025
  • Just as sophisticated as Hamas, which built hundreds of miles of underground tunnels as part of its preparations for war with Israel?
    — Sal Rodriguez, Oc Register, 13 Oct. 2025
Definition of underground
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 private business owners are still trying to process the change in Florida’s gun law.
    — Michael Butler, Miami Herald, 11 Oct. 2025
  • The wildfire has been burning on private land.
    — CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 11 Oct. 2025
Definition of private
Adjective
  • 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
  • When one fan posted a surreptitious photo of Sudeikis and Hunt hanging out at a bar, commenters warned them to not share the location.
    — Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 1 Aug. 2025
Definition of surreptitious

Browse Nearby Words

clan
clandestine
clandestinely
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Cite this Entry

“Clandestine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clandestine. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.

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