sneak

verb

\ˈsnēk

sneaked\ ˈsnēkt

\ or snuck\ ˈsnək

\; sneaking

Definition of sneak

(Entry 1 of 3)

intransitive verb

1 : to go stealthily or furtively : slink snuck out early

2 : to act in or as if in a furtive manner

3 : to carry the football on a quarterback sneak

transitive verb

: to put, bring, or take in a furtive or artful manner sneak a smoke

sneak up on

: to approach or act on stealthily

sneak

noun

Definition of sneak (Entry 2 of 3)

1 : a person who acts in a stealthy, furtive, or shifty manner

2a : a stealthy or furtive move

b : an unobserved departure or escape

3 : sneaker sense 2 —usually used in plural

4 : quarterback sneak

sneak

adjective

Definition of sneak (Entry 3 of 3)

1 : carried on secretly : clandestine

2 : occurring without warning : surprise a sneak attack

Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym Sneaked vs. Snuck More Example Sentences Learn More about sneak

Keep scrolling for more

Choose the Right Synonym for sneak

Verb

lurk, skulk, slink, sneak mean to behave so as to escape attention. lurk implies a lying in wait in a place of concealment and often suggests an evil intent. suspicious men lurking in alleyways skulk suggests more strongly cowardice or fear or sinister intent. something skulking in the shadows slink implies moving stealthily often merely to escape attention. slunk around the corner sneak may add an implication of entering or leaving a place or evading a difficulty by furtive or underhanded methods. sneaked out early

Examples of sneak in a Sentence

Verb

They tried to sneak into the movie without paying. She sneaked some cigars through customs. He snuck a few cookies out of the jar while his mother wasn't looking. They caught him trying to sneak food into the theater. Can I sneak a peek at your quiz answers?

Noun

What a rotten sneak! I should have known not to trust her. He ran a sneak up the middle for a touchdown.

Adjective

a sneak attack on the nation's capitol

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Then, the ball was headed into the box by Croatia, allowing Mandzukic to sneak past everybody else to get to the ball first before delivering a shot that Jordan Pickford had no chance of stopping. — Khadrice Rollins, SI.com, "Watch: Croatia Grabs Win Over England With Goal in Extra Time," 11 July 2018 For the most part, though, the contacts are a tiny, private treasure, a way to sneak in a visit in the smallest of moments. — Beth Teitell, BostonGlobe.com, "Phone contacts: Do you delete the deceased?," 9 July 2018 Confidence: Medium-High Monday remains sunny and humidity is still moderate, but temperatures begin to sneak back up. — David Streit, Washington Post, "D.C.-area forecast: Heat won’t budge today, but a nice break expected for the weekend," 5 July 2018 The feel is muscular, almost martial, while sneaking in a bit of bouncy brightness with the rhythmic triplet that leads the melody’s descending notes. — Brian Mccollum, Detroit Free Press, "Detroit's global sports anthem: The White Stripes' 'Seven Nation Army'," 29 June 2018 In undersea warfare, quietness is everything, allowing submarines to sneak up on targets and slink away after making their attacks. — Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "Navy Testing Superhydrophobic Hull Coatings For Submarines," 5 July 2018 Making batter in a blender is a great way to sneak in fruits and veggies for an extra boost of nutrition. — Amy Gorin, NBC News, "10 non-smoothie recipes you can make in your blender," 25 June 2018 Owners, fans and even rival trainers stopped by to sneak a peek at the undefeated winner of the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes. — New York Times, "Simply Perfect: Justify Wins the Triple Crown," 9 June 2018 Even the most cynical might have snuck a peek at the horse drawn carriages, the guards with swords, or the opulent chapel. — Mitch Albom, Detroit Free Press, "Mitch Albom: Why are Americans so wild about a royal wedding?," 20 May 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Fans of The National got another sneak peek at new music on Tuesday (July 10). — Alessandra Rincón, Billboard, "The National Perform New Songs 'Quiet Light' and 'So Far So Fast' in Croatia: Watch," 12 July 2018 In addition to the 747 farewell events, United has auctioned flight simulator sessions at its Denver training center and sold tickets to events offering a sneak peek at new Polaris airport lounges for 2,500 miles. — Lauren Zumbach, chicagotribune.com, "The new way to use your airline miles: Bears tickets, fancy meals and a walk-on role in a movie," 10 July 2018 Customers will even get a sneak-peek of some Shark Week content ahead of its July 22-29 airing on the Discovery Channel. — Ben Mutzabaugh, USA TODAY, "Southwest rolls out five shark-themed Boeing 737s for Shark Week," 9 July 2018 Download the free Amazon app to get a sneak peek of deals a week in advance. — Jessica Suriano, azcentral, "How to shop like a pro during Amazon Prime Day," 12 July 2018 As usual, Amazon will unveil a sneak peek of the deals a week early through the Amazon app on July 9. — Chris Sims, Indianapolis Star, "Amazon is already offering Prime Day deals before July 16," 5 July 2018 Check back here on Theater Loop for the review; in the meantime, Tribune photographer Terrence Antonio James offers a sneak peek. — Chicago Tribune, chicagotribune.com, "'Jesus Christ Superstar' opens this weekend at the Lyric," 27 Apr. 2018 Nat McClatchyTwitter/EnvyNate via Storyful The Star-Telegram and DFW.com got a sneak peek at the driving range and lounge that will open May 5. — Nick Tarrant, star-telegram, "Fort Worth native gets his shot at $50,000 on new TV golf competition | Fort Worth Star-Telegram," 6 Apr. 2018 The Johnson County Park & Recreation District board got a sneak peek Wednesday at the swimming pool complex the district will begin operating next year. — David Twiddy, kansascity, "Shawnee Mission schools’ aquatic center makes splash with county parks board | The Kansas City Star," 18 Jan. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

Get Ready: Katy Perry Has Released a Sneak Peek of Her New Song And the internet has receipts. — Mehera Bonner, Marie Claire, "Get Ready: Katy Perry Has Released a Sneak Peek of Her New Song," 15 Mar. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'sneak.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about sneak

Dictionary Entries near sneak

Statistics for sneak

Last Updated

6 Nov 2018

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for sneak

The first known use of sneak was in 1594

See more words from the same year

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for sneak

sneak

verb

English Language Learners Definition of sneak

(Entry 1 of 3)

: to move quietly and secretly in order to avoid being noticed

: to take or bring (something) secretly and often quickly

: to tell someone (such as a parent or teacher) about something wrong that someone else has done

sneak

noun

English Language Learners Definition of sneak (Entry 2 of 3)

: a person who acts in a secret and usually dishonest way

sneak

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of sneak (Entry 3 of 3)

: done while others are not paying attention

See the full definition for sneak in the English Language Learners Dictionary

sneak

verb

\ˈsnēk

sneaked\ ˈsnēkt \ or snuck\ ˈsnək \; sneaking

Kids Definition of sneak

(Entry 1 of 2)

: to move, act, bring, put, or take in a sly or secret way Ina-Rae lifted her desktop to sneak peeks at her valentines …— Richard Peck, A Year Down Yonder