sneak 1 of 3

1
as in to lurk
to move about in a sly or secret manner the little kids sneak around upstairs when they're supposed to be in bed

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in to infiltrate
to introduce in a gradual, secret, or clever way sneak the topic into the conversation any way you can

Synonyms & Similar Words

sneak

2 of 3

adjective

sneak

3 of 3

noun

as in weasel
someone who acts in a sly and secret manner "Why, you little sneak," the mother exclaimed, "you made my birthday present right under my nose!"

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How is the word sneak distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of sneak are lurk, skulk, and slink. While all these words mean "to behave so as to escape attention," sneak may add an implication of entering or leaving a place or evading a difficulty by furtive or underhanded methods.

sneaked out early

When could lurk be used to replace sneak?

The words lurk and sneak can be used in similar contexts, but lurk implies a lying in wait in a place of concealment and often suggests an evil intent.

suspicious men lurking in alleyways

When is skulk a more appropriate choice than sneak?

In some situations, the words skulk and sneak are roughly equivalent. However, skulk suggests more strongly cowardice or fear or sinister intent.

something skulking in the shadows

Where would slink be a reasonable alternative to sneak?

The meanings of slink and sneak largely overlap; however, slink implies moving stealthily often merely to escape attention.

slunk around the corner

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 sneak
Verb
At one point, the family lived above a fancy dress shop, and Lloyd would sneak downstairs and dress up as various characters. Sarah Crompton, Vogue, 16 June 2025 Nor does the historical record show any murders or suicides occurring at that location — just a few mischievous high school kids sneaking up to the second floor, and a teenage bookstore employee playing his radio too loud and sometimes leaving early. Richard Selcer, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 June 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
Noun
The savvy creature then used the vehicles as cover to launch a sneak attack on a group of unsuspecting birds gathered in a nearby home’s front yard. Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 May 2025 Are zero-drop running shoes suitable for everyone? Shop the best zero-drop running shoes Get the low-down on these sneaks. Sara Coughlin, SELF, 16 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for sneak
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sneak
Verb
  • But in the background still lurk the conditions and trends that has spurred allocators away from the USD.
    Diane Brady, Fortune, 18 June 2025
  • Beyond our villa, wildlife lurked in the forest, and several members of the resort’s staff were, like Nando, natural naturalists.
    The New York Times, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 June 2025
Verb
  • Where to watch: Disney+ 'Deep Cover' There's a motley crew at work in this action comedy, with Bryce Dallas Howard as an improv comedy teacher recruited to infiltrate the London crime scene.
    Brian Truitt, USA Today, 14 June 2025
  • Deep Cover stars Bryce Dallas Howard, Nick Mohammed and Orlando Bloom as a trio of improv actors recruited to infiltrate a dangerous crime syndicate in London.
    Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025
Adjective
  • The Square, from South Korean director Bo-Sol Kim, which blends political commentary with experimental animation in its story of a Swedish diplomat in Pyongyang who begins a clandestine affair with a local traffic officer, took the jury prize of the Contrechamps section.
    Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 14 June 2025
  • During the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, Alcala — without school authorization — took wrestling mats from El Modena, had the wrestling team load them into a U-Haul truck, and then took them to a warehouse for clandestine practices, Plaintiff Two said.
    Scott Schwebke, Oc Register, 13 June 2025
Noun
  • But some, including pigeons, weasels, skunks, coyotes and most rodents, are excluded from such rules.
    Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 15 May 2025
  • In the heat of its bloodlust, the weasel had killed the entire flock.
    Louise Erdrich, New Yorker, 25 May 2025
Verb
  • Her first exposure to stand-up was when, in eighth grade, a friend slipped her a Margaret Cho DVD during a church sermon.
    Rachel Brodsky, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2025
  • Notifications ping, Slack channels light up, and deep work slips further away.
    Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
Verb
  • Here, somehow the Dama survives being burned to death and manages to worm her way back into Hershel’s life.
    Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 22 June 2025
  • Despite the gloomy overtones, Loznitsa’s powerful movie asserts that goodness hides within the confines of institutional control, worming its way through the boundaries of bureaucratic red tape in an effort to do some good.
    Eric Kohn, HollywoodReporter, 30 May 2025
Adjective
  • For every regime change at the hands of Americans that went well—think Adolf Hitler’s exit from Germany and Benito Mussolini from Italy—there are multitudes that went off the rails: six overt attempts during the Cold War and another 64 in covert operations.
    Philip Elliott, Time, 19 June 2025
  • The Whyte Python World Tour by Travis Kennedy The laughs are as big as the mullets in this rollicking story about a hugely successful hair-metal band that’s really a cover for a covert operation in Cold War-era Eastern Europe.
    Andrea Lavinthal, People.com, 18 June 2025
Noun
  • While bears are easily the biggest fear in some parks, a pack of hungry racoons or an inquisitive skunk aren’t to be messed with either.
    Geoffrey Morrison, Forbes.com, 12 June 2025
  • Right before arriving at our campsite, a skunk ran across the front of the car, did a handstand, and then disappeared into the scrub.
    Benji Jones, Vox, 21 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sneak.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sneak. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.

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