Synonym Chooser

How is the word clandestine distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of clandestine are covert, furtive, secret, stealthy, surreptitious, and underhanded. While all these words mean "done without attracting observation," clandestine implies secrecy usually for an evil, illicit, or unauthorized purpose and often emphasizes the fear of being discovered.

a clandestine meeting of conspirators

When is it sensible to use covert instead of clandestine?

The words covert and clandestine can be used in similar contexts, but covert stresses the fact of not being open or declared.

covert intelligence operations

When might furtive be a better fit than clandestine?

While the synonyms furtive and clandestine are close in meaning, furtive implies a sly or cautious stealthiness.

lovers exchanging furtive glances

Where would secret be a reasonable alternative to clandestine?

In some situations, the words secret and clandestine are roughly equivalent. However, secret implies concealment on any grounds for any motive.

met at a secret location

When can stealthy be used instead of clandestine?

Although the words stealthy and clandestine have much in common, stealthy suggests taking pains to avoid being seen or heard especially in some misdoing.

the stealthy step of a burglar

When is surreptitious a more appropriate choice than clandestine?

The meanings of surreptitious and clandestine largely overlap; however, 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

When could underhanded be used to replace clandestine?

While in some cases nearly identical to clandestine, underhanded stresses fraud or deception.

an underhanded trick

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of clandestine Next to it was a quote from Tubman about her experience coordinating the clandestine network for slaves seeking freedom. Zoe Sottile, CNN Money, 7 Apr. 2025 In a country seemingly inured to episodes of brutal violence from drug cartels, where clandestine graves emerge every month, the images shocked Mexicans and prompted outraged human rights groups to demand that the government put an end to the violence that has ravaged the nation for years. Paulina Villegas, New York Times, 15 Mar. 2025 After authorities responded with mass arrests, weavers formed clandestine committees and took secret oaths. John Cassidy, New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2025 Til Schweiger plays a sardonic whale-tourism boat captain (and former elite military operative, obviously) who gets roped into taking down a clandestine organization that’s building the perfect super-soldier through genetic experiments. Jordan Crucchiola, Vulture, 4 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for clandestine
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clandestine
Adjective
  • Former Attorney General Merrick Garland said in October that the Justice Department foiled the plot as the men bought the rifles from an undercover FBI employee.
    Krystal Nurse, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Kasie discovers that the Poet used jeweler Gemma Wood (Michelle Lukes) as a go-between to broker deals with anonymous clients, so Torres goes undercover as the man himself since news of his death hasn't left NCIS HQ.
    Sara Netzley, EW.com, 15 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • After the unexpected death of the pope, Cardinal Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes) is tasked with running the covert process of choosing a new leader.
    Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025
  • Despite numerous brushes with the law, he was frequently shielded from prosecution, feeding theories about his connections to high-level covert U.S. operations.
    Antonio Maria Delgado, Miami Herald, 18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Even the price tag of the new Mount Weather work is confidential, but contracting details suggest workers will must be skilled in both underground construction and HVAC equipment, including air handlers.
    Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 1 May 2025
  • In 1965, the hotel built an underground bunker where guests could shelter during US air raids.
    Lilit Marcus, CNN Money, 30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • In 2022, a consortium of private retirement-plan providers announced a collaboration to boost the portability of small retirement accounts.
    Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 20 Apr. 2025
  • Limonite Av Eval Fire has been burning on private land.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 19 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Reporters from around the country followed the case, which marked the first time ever that prosecutors would play for a jury a surreptitious FBI recording of mob soldiers taking the oath of omerta during a mafia initiation ceremony.
    Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 21 Apr. 2025
  • For example: In 2003, a group of Providence, Rhode Island, artists embarked on a project combining installation art and surreptitious living arrangements.
    Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune, 17 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Clandestine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clandestine. Accessed 3 May. 2025.

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