stealth

1 of 2

noun

ˈstelth 

1

: a cautious, unobtrusive, and secretive way of moving or proceeding intended to avoid detection

Makos, among the fastest of sharks, chase down their prey. Slower species … rely on stealth and explosive power.

—Steve Kemper

The intricate labor … required courage and stealth.

—Sue M. Halpern

As we walked closer we began treading with exaggerated stealth until we came very close …

—Dorothy Dimsdale

A thief does his work in secret and by stealth.

—Harry Shaw

2

: an aircraft-design characteristic consisting of oblique angular construction and avoidance of vertical surfaces that is intended to produce a very weak radar return

—usually used before another noun

a stealth bomber/fighter

stealth aircraft

stealth technology

3

a

archaic : theft

b

obsolete : something stolen

stealth

2 of 2

adjective

1

: intended not to attract attention : stealthy

a stealth campaign

… the company has operated in stealth mode until now.

—Steve Silberman

Her team seemed to communicate with a secret stealth language …

—E. L. Konigsburg

see also stealth entry 1 sense 2

2

medical : involving or caused by an asymptomatic or presymptomatic infectious individual : silent sense 6b

stealth spread/transmission of a contagious disease

Synonyms

Adjective

• backstairs
• behind-the-scenes
• clandestine
• covert
• furtive
• hole-and-corner
• hugger-mugger
• hush-hush
• private
• privy
• secret
• sneak
• sneaking
• sneaky
• stealthy
• surreptitious
• undercover
• underground
• underhand
• underhanded

Examples of stealth in a Sentence

Noun

The fox uses stealth and cunning to hunt its prey.

Adjective

the SWAT team carried out a stealth raid on the house, which was believed to be harboring a terrorist cell

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Abby is also designed in conscious contrast to the slight but quick Ellie, who often has to use stealth and wits to overpower her enemies. —Eliana Dockterman, Time, 13 Apr. 2025

Some of the final fights now adapt to stealth more dynamically, forcing you to actually engage. —Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025

Adjective

The stealth contender broke through the byzantine Vatican politics and may yet break Washington’s understanding of how the Catholic machinery operates around the globe. —Philip Elliott, Time, 8 May 2025

The difference with Lander’s show, which chronicles the ever-sprawling antics of the McCallister family — most sketches are actually stealth explorations of relationship dynamics — is that Lander is the show. —Alissa Wilkinson, New York Times, 4 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English stelthe; akin to Old English stelan to steal

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3a

Adjective

1979, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing stealth

• by stealth

Rhymes for stealth

• health
• wealth
• bridewealth
• commonwealth
• telehealth

Kids Definition

stealth

1 of 2 noun

ˈstelth 

1

: sly or secret action

2

: a design style intended to make an aircraft difficult to detect by radar

stealth

2 of 2 adjective

: intended not to attract attention : stealthy sense 2

a stealth campaign