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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For decades, there’s been a quasi-clandestine accord about expanding oil drilling in the Gulf.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 Apr. 2026
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This clandestine supply chain eventually provided thousands of muskets, field artillery and millions of pounds of gunpowder that made possible the 1777 victory at Saratoga and France’s subsequent formal alliance.—
Christopher Magra,
The Conversation,
7 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Israeli air forces carrying out a strike on Tehran killed the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' undercover expeditionary unit, the Israel Defense Forces said today.—
Max Burman,
NBC news,
6 Apr. 2026
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Per the complaint, Gay admitted to engaging in text and Reddit conversations with the undercover account after being read his Miranda rights.—
Nick Lentz,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 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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Some researchers believe ancient peoples sought relief from heat in the caves, which were fed by fresh underground water.—
Ryan Brennan
April 4,
Miami Herald,
4 Apr. 2026
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The New York Times, citing US intelligence reports, said Iranian personnel have been digging out underground missile bunkers and silos struck by American and Israeli bombs and returning them to operation hours after attacks.—
Arsalan Shahla,
Fortune,
4 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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That secret, a CNN investigation has found, centered on China’s covert plans to massively expand its nuclear ambitions.—
Tamara Qiblawi,
CNN Money,
1 Apr. 2026
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Movies set in the world of top-secret spycraft and covert operations have entertained audiences for decades.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Tarrant County Commissioners are set to discuss giving up control of a private road in northwest Tarrant County that is being maintained with county tax dollars.—
Rachel Royster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 Apr. 2026
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Fox, 64, has worked for decades with Parkinson’s disease, which he was diagnosed with at age 29 in the early 1990s but kept private until 1998.—
Theresa Braine,
New York Daily News,
9 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Backstairs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backstairs. Accessed 10 Apr. 2026.
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