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 These, though, have generally either been surreptitious efforts or ones that the White House has attempted strenuously to legally justify. —New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 1 Aug. 2025 In the course of that surreptitious mission, Meachum (played by Jensen Ackles) stumbled into a heated hand-to-hand fight inside the consulate’s security station, where all sorts of limbs were thrown, much furniture broken. —Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 16 July 2025 In the evenings, Vincent embarks on a surreptitious love affair with Arthur, a soldier on leave — who's also the son of Vincent's governess. —Lizz Schumer, People.com, 27 May 2025 There’s nothing surreptitious about my administration. —Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 11 May 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
  • In exchange, the agent told the pilot in a clandestine meeting, the aviator would be made a very rich man.
    — Joshua Goodman, Fortune, 28 Oct. 2025
  • If substantiated, Russia's use of a maritime disaster site for clandestine military purposes represents both a security threat and a sensitive violation of an international agreement aimed at honoring the victims.
    — Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
Definition of clandestine
Adjective
  • The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said on Friday the incident and the recent air incursion linked to Moscow show Kremlin plans for covert and overt attacks against Europe to prepare for a possible NATO-Russia war.
    — Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025
  • The device is intended for intelligent underwater detection, real-time environmental monitoring, and potentially covert reconnaissance missions worldwide.
    — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2025
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
  • Billitier did have a hell of a story to tell about his decades of undercover work for the FBI, including several years infiltrating a Colombian drug ring in Texas.
    — Steve Belanger, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2025
  • The movie is based on the 1980s TV series, starring Don Johnson and Philip Michael Thomas, as undercover detectives in South Florida.
    — Angelique Jackson, Variety, 23 Oct. 2025
Definition of undercover
Adjective
  • At the very end of the movie, Bigelow captures a variety of government officials funneling into Raven Rock Mountain Complex, otherwise known as Site R, a military installation with an underground nuclear bunker near Blue Ridge, Pa.
    — Jake Kring-Schreifels, Time, 27 Oct. 2025
  • While tectonic activity is the leading cause, earthquakes can also result from volcanic eruptions, underground explosions, and human activities like mining or large-scale construction.
    — Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025
Definition of underground
Adjective
  • In Thursday’s indictment, federal investigators accused Rozier and other defendants of breaking the law by exploiting private information about players to win bets on NBA games.
    — Preston Fore, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2025
  • Critics have also raised concerns about the use of private donors, suggesting there could be a conflict of interest at play.
    — Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 25 Oct. 2025
Definition of private
Adjective
  • 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 29 Oct. 2025.

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