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 …

—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 of stealth

Adjective

• clandestine
• sneak
• covert
• undercover
• underground
• sneaking
• private

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

For a creature that relies on stealth and stillness in low-light forest habitats, that potential ability to sense ambient light through its own body adds to an already unusual sensory profile. —Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 10 Mar. 2026

According to Fincantieri, key innovations from Italian industry, including a lithium-ion propulsion battery and a new combat system, will deliver improved stealth, endurance, operational efficiency, and stronger cyber resilience. —Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 3 Mar. 2026

Adjective

Photographs by aviation photographers Ian Recchio and Jarod Hamilton show the stealth bomber flying behind the tanker during the operation, while another aircraft, an F-16, appears to serve as a chase plane. —Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 11 Mar. 2026

Rivera quickly became a scandal magnet, drawing state and federal scrutiny into allegations of money laundering, pocketing public money, and funding of a stealth primary challenger to his Democratic opponent. —Noah Shachtman, Vanity Fair, 10 Mar. 2026

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

1978, 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