cloak-and-dagger
adjective
cloak-and-dag·ger
ˈklōk-ən(d)-ˈda-gər 
: dealing in or suggestive of melodramatic intrigue and action usually involving secret agents and espionage
a cloak-and-dagger novel
cloak-and-dagger
noun
Examples of cloak-and-dagger in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Each of the first three episodes now available on Prime Video is an edge-of-your-seat ride through some kind of operation, ranging from military strikes to cloak-and-dagger spy ops.
—
Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2025
Instead of finding cloak-and-dagger activity at the establishment, or even engaging in any erotic hijinks, Andrews is promptly stripped and robbed by masseuses there.
—H.m.a. Leow, JSTOR Daily, 18 June 2025
And to win that support, Springfield must break with the cloak-and-dagger machinations and engage the public.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 3 June 2025
There's also an escalating series of cloak-and-dagger theatrics, which are in line with McBride's penchant for lampooning the retrograde behaviors and rituals of the Southern aristocracy.
—Randall Colburn, EW.com, 5 May 2025
This week’s trio of episodes brings back the visceral genre kicks, with more cloak-and-dagger and cat-and-mouse.
—Noel Murray, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025
The prequels carried that idea forward, with their blending of biblical epics, cloak-and-dagger intrigue, and Ray Harryhausen–style monster mayhem.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 25 Apr. 2025
After that, the next shot at a massive, cloak-and-dagger ratings boost will arrive on March 8, when LA squares off with the Celtics in another primetime ABC showcase.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 12 Feb. 2025
And on the subject of foreign affairs and cloak-and-dagger exploits, Aatish Taseer joins us from Tokyo with an incredible yarn.
—airmail.news, 23 Nov. 2024
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Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2025
Instead of finding cloak-and-dagger activity at the establishment, or even engaging in any erotic hijinks, Andrews is promptly stripped and robbed by masseuses there.
—H.m.a. Leow, JSTOR Daily, 18 June 2025
And to win that support, Springfield must break with the cloak-and-dagger machinations and engage the public.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 3 June 2025
There's also an escalating series of cloak-and-dagger theatrics, which are in line with McBride's penchant for lampooning the retrograde behaviors and rituals of the Southern aristocracy.
—Randall Colburn, EW.com, 5 May 2025
This week’s trio of episodes brings back the visceral genre kicks, with more cloak-and-dagger and cat-and-mouse.
—Noel Murray, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025
The prequels carried that idea forward, with their blending of biblical epics, cloak-and-dagger intrigue, and Ray Harryhausen–style monster mayhem.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 25 Apr. 2025
After that, the next shot at a massive, cloak-and-dagger ratings boost will arrive on March 8, when LA squares off with the Celtics in another primetime ABC showcase.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 12 Feb. 2025
And on the subject of foreign affairs and cloak-and-dagger exploits, Aatish Taseer joins us from Tokyo with an incredible yarn.
—airmail.news, 23 Nov. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Cloak-and-dagger.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cloak-and-dagger. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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