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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Adult Swim viewers became part of a late-night collective bearing witness to clandestine artifacts anyone who went to bed at a reasonable hour would only hear about from their bleary-eyed friends.—
Eric Vilas-Boas,
Vulture,
18 Mar. 2026
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The documentary is built around the investigative work of journalists Katya Hakim and Denis Korotkov who picked up the mantle from three colleagues who were brutally slain while looking into Wagner’s clandestine activities in Africa.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Police K-9s on the ground, undercover officers, SWAT teams, drones, and sharpshooters are typically part of the LAPD's security posture for the Oscars, according to law enforcement sources.—
Alex Stone,
ABC News,
15 Mar. 2026
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The 46-year-old's been charged with selling cocaine and methamphetamine to an undercover officer.—
Christine Sloan,
CBS News,
15 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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Since then, Tehran has fortified Kharg heavily, building air defenses, hardened infrastructure and underground storage designed to keep oil flowing even under sustained attack.—
Imtiaz Tyab,
CBS News,
14 Mar. 2026
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Parking would be underground and at street level, with 24/7 valet service.—
Erika I. Ritchie,
Oc Register,
14 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Alexander Csergo, a Sydney business consultant, faces up to 15 years in prison after being the second person to be convicted under Australian laws against covert interference and espionage.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Mar. 2026
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The program remained covert for decades and was publicly exposed in 1986 when technician Mordechai Vanunu leaked photographs and information about the site.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Guests will have access to 150 feet of private shoreline (including a private dock complete with a pier, ramp, and float) as well as plenty of paths for afternoon strolls.—
Nicole Kliest,
Vogue,
19 Mar. 2026
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Every home includes a private backyard, smart technology and energy-efficient systems.—
Sandra Barrera,
Daily News,
19 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Backstairs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backstairs. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.
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