1
as in shady
given to acting in secret and to concealing one's intentions
never let one of those sneaking salespeople into your house
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in sneak
undertaken or done so as to escape being observed or known by others
harbored a sneaking admiration for his chief business rival
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in lame
arousing or deserving of one's loathing and disgust
a sneaking two-timer who has completely lost his wife's trust
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in lurking
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
2
as in infiltrating
to introduce in a gradual, secret, or clever way
sneak the topic into the conversation any way you can
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sneaking
Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 10 Mar. 2026
The package includes free breakfast for your plus-one (no more sneaking snacks away from the conference), a signature drink each night (perfect for unwinding after your workday ends), and 1,000 bonus IHG One Rewards points.
—Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 23 Apr. 2025
Robert Pearlman, ArsTechnica, 29 Apr. 2026
The Suns still called this a positive first step — something to build on — but sneaking into the playoffs as an eighth seed does not always serve as a springboard.
—Doug Haller, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2026
Scott Roche’s unlikely road to semi-pro football began with prodding from his players, followed by sneaking into a high school stadium to practice.
—Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 26 Apr. 2026
After the Combine, there was talk about going high in the second round or sneaking into the bottom of the first.
—Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
And a thick hedgerow is no deterrent to foxes sneaking in to snatch small lambs.
—Literary Hub, 23 Apr. 2026
As Meghan panned the camera over the items, she could be seen sneaking a Tim Tam for herself.
—Janine Henni, PEOPLE, 19 Apr. 2026
While other shoes may slow you down when pebbles and rocks get stuck inside, these sneakers have an Achilles-friendly heel collar that prevents any debris from sneaking in.
—Caroline Hughes, Travel + Leisure, 18 Apr. 2026
Iron Maiden, finally sneaking Eddie past the Hall’s metal block.
—Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 15 Apr. 2026
Adjective
Contributor Yelena Alpert has a sneaking suspicion that these Frette slippers will last a lifetime, attributing her hypothesis to the shoe’s superior quality.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 10 Mar. 2026
The package includes free breakfast for your plus-one (no more sneaking snacks away from the conference), a signature drink each night (perfect for unwinding after your workday ends), and 1,000 bonus IHG One Rewards points.
—Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 23 Apr. 2025
Verb
Shannda Aviugana-Durand, an education assistant known for sneaking kids candy on their birthdays, was killed at close range while students watched, the lawsuit alleged.
—Robert Pearlman, ArsTechnica, 29 Apr. 2026
The Suns still called this a positive first step — something to build on — but sneaking into the playoffs as an eighth seed does not always serve as a springboard.
—Doug Haller, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2026
Scott Roche’s unlikely road to semi-pro football began with prodding from his players, followed by sneaking into a high school stadium to practice.
—Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 26 Apr. 2026
After the Combine, there was talk about going high in the second round or sneaking into the bottom of the first.
—Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
And a thick hedgerow is no deterrent to foxes sneaking in to snatch small lambs.
—Literary Hub, 23 Apr. 2026
As Meghan panned the camera over the items, she could be seen sneaking a Tim Tam for herself.
—Janine Henni, PEOPLE, 19 Apr. 2026
While other shoes may slow you down when pebbles and rocks get stuck inside, these sneakers have an Achilles-friendly heel collar that prevents any debris from sneaking in.
—Caroline Hughes, Travel + Leisure, 18 Apr. 2026
Iron Maiden, finally sneaking Eddie past the Hall’s metal block.
—Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 15 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sneaking
Adjective
-
The campsites are nestled in a shady valley about a half-mile walk from the ferry port.—
Tribune News Service,
Baltimore Sun,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Nancy Pelosi found a shady spot under a tree.—
James Reginato,
Vanity Fair,
28 Apr. 2026
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
-
And getting all giddy over some lame light beer that has apple juice poured into to is just plain embarrassing.—
Zach Dean OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
24 Apr. 2026
-
This idea that just sitting with your face buried in your phone when you’re supposed to be in a social setting—that’s lame, right?—
Charlie Warzel,
The Atlantic,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Audacity creator Jonathan Glatzer and star Billy Magnussen, who plays wealthy tech CEO Duncan Park, took the stage at Deadline Contenders TV to talk about taking the tech monster lurking in the shadows and those responsible for its existence, and turning it into a comedy.—
Amanda Champagne-Meadows,
Deadline,
26 Apr. 2026
-
With savings up to 86 percent on complete sets and lots of cooling options for warm nights, there are some major bedding deals lurking on the site.—
Tanya Sharma,
PEOPLE,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
But the opening sequence was a rip-roaring cold open in which Mando and Grogu are infiltrating a base to take down an empire loyalist.—
Brian Welk,
IndieWire,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Though fur is very good at creating a warm, protective layer against wind, water is very good at infiltrating small spaces.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
8 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Standout deals this year include a Joanna Gaines area rug that’s designed to handle the elements, a sturdy bench that doubles as sneaky outdoor storage, and a luxe beanbag chair that’s perfect for movies under the stars.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
26 Apr. 2026
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Best Way Day Storage Deals Add more storage space to your home with sneaky storage options like this round ottoman and spacious sideboard, as well as more classic solutions like a nine-drawer dresser, TV stand, and charming bookshelf.—
Rachel Trujillo,
PEOPLE,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The role of the two CIA agents who were returning from destroying a clandestine drug lab in the northern Mexican state of Chihuahua remains unclear.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Apr. 2026
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The role of the two CIA agents, who were returning from destroying a clandestine drug lab in the northern Mexican state of Chihuahua, remains unclear.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The drinks attract younger women, typically age 16 to 35, and are aimed at health-conscious customers that don’t want Swig’s more caloric and filling dirty sodas, CEO Alex Dunn said.—
Jordan Valinsky,
CNN Money,
28 Apr. 2026
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That wasn’t the only utensil stored in a dirty place.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sneaking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sneaking. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
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