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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Domestic law enforcement remains particularly vigilant for Iranian sleeper cells, lone actors and clandestine operatives living in our cities and towns under the radar.—
Rick Pozniak,
Boston Herald,
4 Mar. 2026
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In the last year, Mexican troops have been deployed across the country to quell narco-violence, arresting legions of cartel operatives, seizing tons of illicit drugs and busting hundreds of clandestine laboratories.—
Kate Linthicum,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Herlihy goes undercover as Jost, even appearing on the Late Night with Seth Meyers show.—
Andy Hoglund,
Entertainment Weekly,
8 Mar. 2026
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Nick warned Mindi that an undercover team disguised as tree surgeons were planting surveillance cameras around their house.—
Erin Moriarty,
CBS News,
8 Mar. 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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Degrading Iran’s war machine The larger munitions would have likely been used to penetrate underground facilities, destroy missile launch bunkers, and collapse tunnels or storage depots.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Mar. 2026
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These natural gems give a glimpse into the Floridan aquifer, a system of porous limestone that forms underground caves and rivers, pushing water up through vents and ultimately flowing into the faucets of millions of Sunshine State residents.—
Patrick Connolly,
The Orlando Sentinel,
7 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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None could tame its political furies; its covert operations, which killed more than a thousand Americans in Lebanon, Iraq, and Afghanistan; or its expansion, through the creation of like-minded extremist movements, across the Middle East.—
Robin Wright,
New Yorker,
8 Mar. 2026
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Minneapolis psychologist Lucy Olson helped organize a covert grassroots network that swelled to 2,000 volunteers assisting around 500 immigrant families with legal matters, shelter, food and rent assistance.—
Steve Karnowski,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The private credit specialist will instead switch to periodic payouts funded by asset sales, earnings and other strategic deals.—
Hugh Leask,
CNBC,
5 Mar. 2026
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Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa is designed to attract private investment in clean energy across the continent.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
5 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Backstairs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backstairs. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.
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