Definition of clandestinenext

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 But clandestine flows aren’t the biggest factor behind the market calm. Matt Egan, CNN Money, 9 June 2026 The zodiac sign Cancer can manipulate matters and utilize their clandestine powers to their advantage, matching Evil-Lyn's actions. Lisa Stardust, PEOPLE, 5 June 2026 That similarly clandestine spot is tucked in the mail sorting room of Hotel Phillips downtown. Kansas City Star, 29 May 2026 Nicknamed Zvezdny Gorodok, or Star City/Starry Town, this clandestine base of operations was built beside the Tsiolkovskaya railway station served by the Yaroslavl Railroad. Jeff Spry, Space.com, 27 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for clandestine
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clandestine
Adjective
  • The case stemmed from a 2022 FBI undercover operation where agents posed as real estate developers interested in building a convention center hotel in downtown Jackson, the outlet reported.
    Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 30 June 2026
  • Following her cover story about going undercover as a high school student, Leibrock worked for SN&R a few more years before joining the staff at The Bee.
    Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 27 June 2026
Adjective
  • To achieve this, Israel employed airstrikes, cyberattacks, interdictions of weapons and covert action to impede Iran’s ability to resupply Hezbollah’s existing arsenal and supply it with more advanced weapons.
    Amy McAuliffe, The Conversation, 26 June 2026
  • After 1996, when the protease inhibitors were developed, the duty to warn continued to be an important standard when HIV status became more clinically covert.
    M. Sara Rosenthal, STAT, 25 June 2026
Adjective
  • Inside, plans call for wet and dry research labs, teaching labs, collaboration areas, offices, instructional spaces and a 130‑space underground parking garage.
    Gabby Sartori, USA Today, 30 June 2026
  • Some experts — and Kennedy — argue that offering peptides through licensed compounding pharmacies would shrink this underground market and direct people toward safer products.
    Aria Bendix, NBC news, 30 June 2026
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
Adjective
  • Rodríguez also said the country’s entire public and private healthcare network had been activated to treat the injured, urging doctors, nurses and other medical personnel to report immediately to their workplaces.
    Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 25 June 2026
  • Delta Air Lines is metro Atlanta's largest private employer.
    Emma Hurt, AJC.com, 25 June 2026
Adjective
  • These cybercriminals are like the Hollywood movie character Jason Bourne, a highly surreptitious operative who avoids detection through diversion, disguises, deflecting and blending into the environment.
    Eric Herzog, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026
  • Related Stories Known to be a rebellious royal and a surreptitious anti-fascist, Maria José then moved to Portugal and soon left her husband.
    Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 17 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Clandestine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clandestine. Accessed 4 Jul. 2026.

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