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
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
Jones lacks the cloak-and-dagger aspect of his most successful forebear, Allan Pinkerton, whose namesake agency once commanded a force of private detectives larger than the U.S. Army.
—Jasper Craven, Harper's Magazine, 23 July 2024
The situation included threats of physical harm and cloak-and-dagger tactics to undermine each other’s efforts.
—Devon O’Neil, Outside Online, 23 Apr. 2019
Octopussy is a classic cloak-and-dagger nail-biter about a scheme by a rogue Russian general (Steven Berkoff) to detonate a nuke on an American military base in Germany.
—Chris Nashawaty, EW.com, 29 May 2024
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.
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
Jones lacks the cloak-and-dagger aspect of his most successful forebear, Allan Pinkerton, whose namesake agency once commanded a force of private detectives larger than the U.S. Army.
—Jasper Craven, Harper's Magazine, 23 July 2024
The situation included threats of physical harm and cloak-and-dagger tactics to undermine each other’s efforts.
—Devon O’Neil, Outside Online, 23 Apr. 2019
Octopussy is a classic cloak-and-dagger nail-biter about a scheme by a rogue Russian general (Steven Berkoff) to detonate a nuke on an American military base in Germany.
—Chris Nashawaty, EW.com, 29 May 2024
Cite this Entry
“Cloak-and-dagger.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cloak-and-dagger. Accessed 17 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share