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Synonym Chooser

How is the word furtive distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of furtive are clandestine, covert, secret, stealthy, surreptitious, and underhanded. While all these words mean "done without attracting observation," furtive implies a sly or cautious stealthiness.

lovers exchanging furtive glances

When would clandestine be a good substitute for furtive?

In some situations, the words clandestine and furtive are roughly equivalent. However, 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 could covert be used to replace furtive?

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

covert intelligence operations

When is secret a more appropriate choice than furtive?

While in some cases nearly identical to furtive, secret implies concealment on any grounds for any motive.

met at a secret location

When can stealthy be used instead of furtive?

While the synonyms stealthy and furtive are close in meaning, stealthy suggests taking pains to avoid being seen or heard especially in some misdoing.

the stealthy step of a burglar

In what contexts can surreptitious take the place of furtive?

Although the words surreptitious and furtive have much in common, 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 might underhanded be a better fit than furtive?

The words underhanded and furtive are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 furtive Tom Cruise may shoot furtive glances at co-stars, punch of co-stars in the face and/or betray co-stars for the good of mankind. Keith Sharon, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025 Mounting fear within the Jewish and Conservative communities of New York is that Mamdani’s furtive stance of justice for Palestine and divestment from Israel is stoking the flame of more virulent Anti-Semitism to come. Alexandra Bregman, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025 The clip, which shows the dog giving its owner furtive side-eye while cautiously walking by captured the breed's endearing blend of innocence and mischief. Maria Morava, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 June 2025 Over the past decade, furtive commercial entities around the world have industrialized the production, sale and dissemination of bogus scholarly research, undermining the literature that everyone from doctors to engineers rely on to make decisions about human lives. Guillaume Cabanac, The Conversation, 29 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for furtive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for furtive
Adjective
  • But when a mysterious and powerful agent disrupts the negotiations, Brahim discovers the shady side of the business.
    Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Remove a few overhead tree branches if your planting site is too shady.
    Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • There is a First World War U-boat that somehow glides from underneath Lake Michigan all the way to Croatia, commandeered by its captain, post-Armistice, for new and clandestine uses.
    Kathryn Schulz, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025
  • Co-created by The New York Times bestselling author Carr and season 1 creator and showrunner David DiGilio, Dark Wolf follows Ben Edwards (Taylor Kitsch) on his journey from the SEALs to the clandestine side of CIA special operations.
    Susan Young, PEOPLE, 11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Still, Omerzu’s touch is light, ironic and gently amused, a little reminiscent of François Ozon, who has a similar facility with twisty sly comedy-drama grounded in pain.
    Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 25 Sep. 2025
  • Her voice in the essays is sly and irreverent, knowing and persuasive—all qualities that endeared her to readers, despite her often excessively Manichean tone.
    Anderson Tepper, The Atlantic, 8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • 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
  • Though some book bans have been stalled or swatted down in the courts, stealthy removal campaigns continue.
    Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Manned aircraft, however, are still important, especially bombers and stealthy fifth- and sixth-generation fighters.
    SETH G. JONES, Foreign Affairs, 26 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • This model protects against allergens like pollen and pet dander, smoke, dust, and does it all from a place of covert, inoffensive design.
    Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 3 Oct. 2025
  • The detectives’ new case takes them to a remote Arctic research station, where a member of a covert British special forces mission has been shot dead.
    Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Washington is a sneaky-good replacement for Tyreek Hill, given his comparable speed and elusiveness.
    Jacob Robinson, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
  • The character had a sneaky pathos.
    Rachel Syme, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • One person Smith communicated with was an undercover FBI agent, according to prosecutors.
    Julia Marnin, Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2025
  • Nearly 10 years after his demise, Holliday decides to go undercover as Powers to try and get a second chance with a struggling college team at South Georgia.
    Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 30 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Furtive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/furtive. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.

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