SNEAK UP Synonyms: 42 Similar and Opposite Words

sneak up

verb

Definition of sneak up

as in to creep up

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sneak up

Verb

That September-like chill will persist Wednesday before temperatures creep up a few more degrees, but still remain a bit cooler than normal on Thursday.

— Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2025
As higher tariff rates continue to creep up, stagflation and even a recession become likelier, Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s Analytics, told NBC News last week.

— Rob Wile, NBC news, 7 Aug. 2025

Definition of creep up

Verb

He was arrested the next day, when a search of the same hotel room reportedly turned up about 60 grams of fentanyl, 25 grams of crack cocaine and seven grams of powder cocaine, federal officials said.

— Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 2 Oct. 2026
The peplum, in fact, was one of the week’s quiet constants, turning up sculpted here and stitched into shirting at Balenciaga.

— ABC News, ABC News, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of turn up

Verb

To do the uncomfortable things and show up and be ready and make great music with energy and a sense of wonder.

— Dan Hyman, Rolling Stone, 3 Oct. 2026
These women pressured local judges and sheriffs, and would actively show up to courthouses, protecting potential lynching victims with thier own bodies.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of show up

Verb

This addresses a younger consumer and elevates Heinemann’s beauty offer with a strong local brand partner, which comes with its own selection highly dedicated to beauty subcategories.

— Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 6 Oct. 2026
News of Bloys’ new deal came the same day that the new Skydance unveiled its corporate structure.

— Michael Schneider, Variety, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of come

Verb

The remains of medieval ruler Czar Samuel arrived in Bulgaria on Saturday, after decades of negotiations with neighboring Greece.

— COSTAS KANTOURIS, Arkansas Online, 4 Oct. 2026
Johnson’s turn, which featured a surprise cameo from Taylor Swift, marked her third time hosting the show and arrived a day after the theatrical release of her new film Verity.

— Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of arrive

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.

Browse Nearby Words

sneak thiefs

sneak up

sneaky

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Sneak up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sneak%20up. Accessed 6 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of sneak up

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

regimen

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

7 Great Ways to Say 'Great'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

7 Great Ways to Say 'Great'

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes