CLOAK-AND-DAGGER Synonyms: 15 Similar Words

cloak-and-dagger

noun

Definition of cloak-and-dagger

as in counterintelligence

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for cloak-and-dagger

Noun

The more promising candidates learned advanced counterintelligence and bomb-making techniques.

— Daniel Byman, Foreign Affairs, 8 Sep. 2026
Intelligence services have seen signs of specific planning by Russia to conduct sabotage operations in Denmark, Emil Græsholm, head of counterintelligence at the national security and intelligence service PET, told the Berlingske newspaper.

— Claudia Ciobanu, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of counterintelligence

Noun

Whatever higher purpose goes along with espionage work tends to be lost in the gamesmanship and cynicism that seems to come with the territory.

— Scott Tobias, Vulture, 16 Sep. 2026
Last fall, the AI company Anthropic disrupted an espionage campaign in which an AI agent performed 80% to 90% of the intrusion work against roughly 30 targets, including financial institutions.

— Pawan Jain, The Conversation, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of espionage

Noun

Later that year, he was charged with wiretapping, and although authorities did not offer more details, local journalists have reported that the alleged wiretapping was meant to monitor the investigation of his mother.

— James Lasdun, New Yorker, 26 May 2026
Under the plan, FISA, which allows warrantless wiretapping of noncitizens, would be extended for three years, with new oversight guardrails and penalties for abusing the spy tool.

— Hailey Bullis, The Washington Examiner, 26 Apr. 2026

Definition of wiretapping

Noun

Critics argued the Patriot Act cleared the path for spying and violations of civil liberties, prompting reforms to the controversial law years later.

— Mark Morales, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2026
China’s foreign ministry in June confirmed the ‌arrest of Min Zin, saying he was suspected of spying and of endangering Chinese national security.

— Reuters, NBC news, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of spying

Noun

The Mineral Fire broke out near Iowa Hill Road and had been mapped at 2 acres by a Cal Fire intelligence aircraft.

— Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 21 Sep. 2026
Kao is widely regarded within Indian intelligence circles as a formative figure in the country’s espionage apparatus, with successive R&AW chiefs having credited his strategic approach.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of intelligence

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cloak

cloak-and-dagger

cloaked

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“Cloak-and-dagger.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cloak-and-dagger. Accessed 23 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of cloak-and-dagger

noun

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