sneakier; sneakiest
Synonyms of sneakynext
: marked by stealth, furtiveness, or shiftiness
a sneaky trick
sneakily adverb
sneakiness noun

Examples of sneaky in a Sentence

They make it look like you're getting a lot more than you really are. It's a sneaky trick. It's a sneaky way of getting people to buy something they don't need.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Equipped with an anti-theft ReturnMe tag, chair-lock loop, and RFID protection, this ergonomic travel bag stands up to sneaky pickpockets. Destinee Scott, Travel + Leisure, 23 Feb. 2026 Multiple people briefed on the discussions pointed to a rising trend of teams exploiting a loophole by which players on the offensive line for a punt are not required to wear a jersey number from 50 to 79, leading to sneaky fake punt plays. Chris Vannini, New York Times, 22 Feb. 2026 Callie is popular and vivacious, perpetually surrounded by admirers and various hangers-on (Audrey Grace Marshall’s Cara is hellbent on usurping Minnie’s place in Callie’s life, while her himbo-esque boyfriend Brad is given wonderful dimension through Beck Nolan’s sneaky-good performance). Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 13 Feb. 2026 Be sure to overlap cardboard slightly so sneaky weeds have no chance of sprouting up between seams. Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 9 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sneaky

Word History

First Known Use

1833, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sneaky was in 1833

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sneaky.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sneaky. Accessed 24 Feb. 2026.

Kids Definition

sneaky

adjective
sneakier; sneakiest
1
: behaving in a sly or secret manner
2
: marked by secrecy or slyness
a sneaky trick
sneakily adverb
sneakiness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on sneaky

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