stealthy

adjective

\ ˈstel-thē

stealthier; stealthiest

Definition of stealthy

1 : slow, deliberate, and secret in action or character

2a : intended to escape observation : furtive

b : designed to produce a very weak radar return a stealthy airplane

Other Words from stealthy Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym Example Sentences Learn More about stealthy

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Choose the Right Synonym for stealthy

secret, covert, stealthy, furtive, clandestine, surreptitious, underhanded mean done without attracting observation. secret implies concealment on any grounds for any motive. met at a secret location covert stresses the fact of not being open or declared. covert intelligence operations stealthy suggests taking pains to avoid being seen or heard especially in some misdoing. the stealthy step of a burglar furtive implies a sly or cautious stealthiness. lovers exchanging furtive glances clandestine implies secrecy usually for an evil, illicit, or unauthorized purpose and often emphasizes the fear of being discovered. a clandestine meeting of conspirators surreptitious applies to action or behavior done secretly often with skillful avoidance of detection and in violation of custom, law, or authority. the surreptitious stockpiling of weapons underhanded stresses fraud or deception. an underhanded trick

Examples of stealthy in a Sentence

the stealthy movements of the crocodile cats are among the stealthiest of stalkers

Recent Examples on the Web

The amusingly low stakes and the abundance of teen melodramatics are part of the movie’s stealthy charm. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Review: ‘Spider-Man: Far From Home’ often soars, though not as much as it twists," 3 July 2019 Her expression is a stealthy contrast to the blank-eyed stare of Jackson, who would remain on the new twenty’s back side, demoted but not fully displaced. — Doreen St. Félix, The New Yorker, "The Haunted Image of Harriet Tubman on the Twenty-Dollar Bill," 18 June 2019 These tricky teeth, in combination with the black body invisible to other fish in the ocean dark, make the deep-sea dragonfish a stealthy and effective predator in waters where food is scarce. — Ephrat Livni, Quartz, "Predators with virtually invisible fangs prowl the deep sea," 6 June 2019 Old age creeps in gradually, like a stealthy ghost. — Beth Thames | Bethmthames@gmail.com, al.com, "Feeling old? So is Agnes," 5 June 2019 The stealthy frigate, according to Naval Today, will displace 5,500 tons, measure 433 feet long, and will primarily have an anti-submarine warfare mission. — Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "This Frigate's Combat Information Center Is Straight Out of 'Star Trek'," 29 May 2019 The third setup swaps these stealthy appetizers for three porcelain bowls. — Clifford Atiyeh, Car and Driver, "Just Watch How This Rolls-Royce Champagne Case Cracks Open," 22 May 2019 Maisie Williams is a far cry from the stealthy killer Arya Stark in her latest project: a collaborative video with singer-songwriter Alice Phoebe Lou. — Erica Gonzales, Harper's BAZAAR, "Maisie Williams Stars in Alice Phoebe Lou's Stellar "Galaxies" Video," 6 May 2019 Ultimately, Arya's years of training taught her how to destroy him for good—how to become an assassin so stealthy, her own blood hitting the floor makes more noise than her movements. — Carrie Wittmer, Harper's BAZAAR, "Arya Stark Is the Only Character Who Could've Killed the Night King on Game of Thrones," 1 May 2019

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