sneak 1 of 3

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

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

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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
In 2020, the urban explorer Andy Bracco sneaked onto the island and shared his experience in a series of videos on his YouTube channel. Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 July 2025 In the next at-bat, Isaac Collins also found a hole in the infield, sneaking another ground-ball single between Betts and Rojas on the left side of the infield to give Milwaukee a 2-1 lead. Los Angeles Times, 9 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
Nintendo Switch 2 hits the shelves Nintendo’s first new console in 8 years is finally in stores, but before the first units were sold, Fox News got a sneak peak at some of the new games developed for the Switch 2. Pilar Arias, FOXNews.com, 18 June 2025 Some in the stadium got a sneak peak at Caglianone’s ability, such as Isabella Duckworth from Louisburg, who made the trip to St. Louis to see Caglianone’s first series on the road. Maddie Hartley, Kansas City Star, 11 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for sneak
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sneak
Verb
  • These brief Charley moments are frankly much more dynamic than any repetitive scene of Dexter lurking around his son.
    Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 11 July 2025
  • The incident comes as paranoia surrounding the possibility of a serial killer lurking within the New England region grips the area following a series of unexplained deaths in recent months.
    Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 10 July 2025
Verb
  • Third, Operation Gold Rush highlights how international fraud rings have infiltrated federal programs to steal personal information and American tax dollars.
    Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 July 2025
  • Introduced globally in 2021 as a 2022 model, Hyundai hoped the Ioniq 5 and its expanding lineup of siblings would infiltrate the market.
    James Raia, Mercury News, 6 July 2025
Adjective
  • After paying private equity tycoon Jack McGinley $52 million in a clandestine off-market deal for the Georgian-style spread, which was designed by architect Don Nulty and built in 2009 for 9-1-1: Lone Star actor Rob Lowe, Levine and Prinsloo have put the place back on the market for $65 million.
    Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 10 July 2025
  • Built to listen for clandestine nuclear bomb blasts, the globe-spanning system detects low-frequency acoustic-gravity waves.
    Deni Ellis Béchard, Scientific American, 9 July 2025
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
Verb
  • Without nuclear energy to provide the stable, always-on foundation for clean energy, those goals are slipping further from reach.
    Micky Horstman, Chicago Tribune, 7 July 2025
  • After Wilson slipped the ring onto her finer, Kelly quickly embraced her new fiancé as their family and friends cheered.
    Sara Vallone Mod Moms Club July 6, Miami Herald, 6 July 2025
Verb
  • To my great embarrassment, the Velvet Sundown’s songs even managed to worm their way into my brain.
    Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 4 July 2025
  • The flea larvae, which look like tiny maggots, worm their way into the carpet or mattress, feeding on the flea dirt that their parents left behind, says Benson.
    Arricca Elin SanSone, Southern Living, 31 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • And Aleesha spontaneously planted a kiss on Luke while celebrating their successful covert operation to get Karina’s laptop.
    Claire Franken, TVLine, 10 July 2025
  • Further, nations set on developing nuclear weapons can be subject to covert operations or outright military attacks, which can slow them down considerably.
    Brendan Rascius July 8, Miami Herald, 8 July 2025
Noun
  • Birds nest beneath Wright’s generous eaves, skunks burrow into foundations, and spiders spin webs on geometric architectural details.
    The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 July 2025
  • Austin Wildlife Rescue has taken in over 120 animals since the weekend including baby squirrels, skunks and turtles.
    Deborah Sengupta Stith, Austin American Statesman, 11 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sneak.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sneak. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.

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