stealth

noun

\ ˈstelth

Definition of stealth

(Entry 1 of 2)

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/fighterstealth aircraftstealth technology

3a archaic : theft

b obsolete : something stolen

stealth

adjective

Definition of stealth (Entry 2 of 2)

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 & Antonyms More Example Sentences Phrases Containing stealth Learn More About stealth

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 The group, which security firm Mandiant is calling UNC3524, has spent the past 18 months burrowing into victims’ networks with unusual stealth. — Dan Goodin, Ars Technica, 3 May 2022 Finland has a potent artillery force and is in the process of purchasing 64 F-35 stealth fighters. — Missy Ryan, Washington Post, 19 May 2022 Colorado carried out a second act in the fourth quarter, mounting an 8-2 run filled with speed and stealth seen throughout the contest. — Jenna Ortiz, The Arizona Republic, 21 Jan. 2022 Trimble suggests a long-range fighter with the ability to cruise at 70,000 feet—much higher than current fighters—above the speed of sound, using breakthrough technologies such as daytime or optical stealth. — Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, 5 May 2022 The higher the Yen crosses, the more intense stealth intervention moves will prove – meaning sharp corrections. — John Kicklighter, Forbes, 25 Apr. 2022 The tabloid stealth-edited out the casualty figures the casualty figures a few hours later. — Grayson Quay, The Week, 20 Apr. 2022 But experts are also continually overhauling COVID-19 vaccine production in response to variants like a new 'stealth' Omicron, and the focus could be on tweaking current vaccines for even more resilient immunity in the future. — Zee Krstic, Good Housekeeping, 19 Feb. 2022 But that's a lot to juggle for anyone who didn't learn the original game's stealth-first battling approach. — Sam Machkovech, Ars Technica, 14 Feb. 2022 Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective Eurozone hawks correctly see the fight against fragmentation as the stealth mutualization of different nations’ debts. — Jon Sindreu, WSJ, 15 June 2022 His grandfather Alexander Harmer was a leading 19th-century painter of Southern California, and his uncle Jack Northrop was an influential aircraft designer who helped develop stealth planes and long-range bombers. — Harrison Smith, Washington Post, 14 June 2022 His grandfather Alexander Harmer was a leading 19th-century painter of Southern California, and his uncle Jack Northrop was an influential aircraft designer who helped develop stealth planes and long-range bombers. — Harrison Smith, BostonGlobe.com, 14 June 2022 In soft Daytona Gray Pearl Effect paint, with the optional $2,100 Black Optic Package, the S8 becomes the quintessential stealth sedan, one with the performance and luxury to go the distance in comfort and style. — Robert Ross, Robb Report, 3 June 2022 The top-handle black bag is of legend in Her Majesty’s wardrobe, but a stealth treasure in their oeuvre is their under-the radar men’s bag. — Vogue, 3 June 2022 The series is a stealth musical, with songs sprinkled naturally throughout daily life, as well as at Choir Practice. — Ok Mccausland, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2022 The Last Duel was one of my favorite stealth scene-stealers of last year, a dose of levity with layers (in his performance, if not his hair). — Darren Franich, EW.com, 1 June 2022 The Last of Us Part II is a gloomy but engaging stealth-action game. — Ars Staff, Ars Technica, 30 May 2022 See More

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