as in clandestine
undertaken or done so as to escape being observed or known by others
an influential Washington lobbyist who has been involved in a number of backstairs deals to limit regulation of financial institutions
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Recent Examples of backstairs
And in North Carolina, a boyish trial lawyer with jury-pleasing charm (John Edwards) knocked off Lauch Faircloth, a GOP senator who played a backstairs role in getting Kenneth Starr appointed as independent counsel.
—
Walter Shapiro, The New Republic, 6 June 2019
Walter Shapiro, The New Republic, 6 June 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backstairs
Adjective
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Bergen, Norway — In the frigid waters off the coast of Norway, America's NATO allies scour the depths for clandestine Russian activity.—
Steve Berriman,
CBS News,
4 Feb. 2026
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The historical thriller is set against the backdrop of the 1970s meat ban in Uruguay, during which José, a Galician immigrant, and his daughter Rosita establish a clandestine slaughterhouse to survive.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
3 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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According to the District Attorney’s Office, Akers was working undercover as part of a task force when Stewart, 46, ran from uniformed law enforcement officers and then hid inside an unlocked tow truck.—
Alex Riggins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Jan. 2026
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The undercover investigators later spoke with Lorenz by phone.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
24 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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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
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Often the meats are wrapped in agave leaves and cooked in underground ovens, though some pitmasters substitute banana leaves.—
Tribune News Service,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
31 Jan. 2026
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The government is believed to be building a new underground nuclear facility there.—
Jon Gambrell,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Díaz doesn’t expect openly antagonistic messaging at the halftime show — perhaps the lighter-blue Puerto Rican independence flag as a covert anti-occupation gesture.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Jan. 2026
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Truist details allegations against former bank executives Truist’s complaint paints a picture of betrayal and covert meetings preceding the exodus.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The bank's president and chairman, John Jovanovic, told CNBC that manufacturers, which benefit the most from the reserve, are making a long-term financial commitment, while the government loan spurs private investments.—
DIDI TANG,
Arkansas Online,
5 Feb. 2026
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The public and private markets have decided that infrastructure companies and the top model developers are the AI winners, while software companies are the likely losers, regardless of how strong their businesses may look today.—
Jordan Novet,
CNBC,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Backstairs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backstairs. Accessed 5 Feb. 2026.
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