as in clandestine
undertaken or done so as to escape being observed or known by others
an influential Washington lobbyist who has been involved in a number of backstairs deals to limit regulation of financial institutions
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Recent Examples of backstairs
And in North Carolina, a boyish trial lawyer with jury-pleasing charm (John Edwards) knocked off Lauch Faircloth, a GOP senator who played a backstairs role in getting Kenneth Starr appointed as independent counsel.
—
Walter Shapiro, The New Republic, 6 June 2019
Walter Shapiro, The New Republic, 6 June 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backstairs
Adjective
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The Pozo de Vargas is considered the largest clandestine mass grave of Argentina’s last dictatorship with the remains of 149 people recovered from the site.—
Débora Rey,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Mar. 2026
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The Pozo de Vargas is considered the largest clandestine mass grave of Argentina’s last dictatorship with the remains of 149 people recovered from the site.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
22 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Law enforcement officials said the officer was ambushed by two gunmen and shot while driving an unmarked white Tesla while working on an undercover investigation.—
Washington Examiner Staff,
The Washington Examiner,
24 Mar. 2026
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Owners cited undercover consumers known to visit establishments in search of those airing content without licenses.—
Jacob Feldman,
Sportico.com,
23 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Get Ready: Katy Perry Has Released a Sneak Peek of Her New Song And the internet has receipts.—
Mehera Bonner,
Marie Claire,
15 Mar. 2017
Adjective
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The Boring Company unveiled its first underground loop project, the Las Vegas Loop, in 2021.—
Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez,
Fortune,
28 Mar. 2026
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Its features include a 1,200-square-foot cabana, which connects to the mansion via a private underground tunnel, and a 150-foot dock extending from the lawn.—
Megan Vaz,
Sun Sentinel,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Her covert affair with Davis became big news when a Chicago gossip columnist wrote a detailed account of their relationship in early 1958, including their plans to wed, despite their denials.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
28 Mar. 2026
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While Iran is not known to have any interests in Uganda, it has been accused of covert operations in neighboring Kenya and Tanzania, including the running of smuggling networks and making controversial diplomatic and economic outreach with questionable motives throughout the region.—
Paul Tilsley,
FOXNews.com,
28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Mecklenburg County commissioners voted just last week to officially remove the county’s previous rules on private pool rentals to reflect the change in state law.—
Mary Ramsey
March 25,
Charlotte Observer,
25 Mar. 2026
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The diplomats spoke on the condition of anonymity to disclose private negotiations.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
25 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Backstairs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backstairs. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
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