sneaking 1 of 2

Definition of sneakingnext
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sneaking

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verb

present participle of sneak
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

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 sneaking
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
Iron Maiden, finally sneaking Eddie past the Hall’s metal block. Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 15 Apr. 2026 Similar to Chen, Bill Gates learned to code at about age 13, sneaking into his school’s computer lab at night to practice. Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 14 Apr. 2026 The Hurricanes were the ACC’s sole representative in the playoff, sneaking into an at-large spot ahead of Notre Dame. Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 14 Apr. 2026 These reports come after Closer Magazine claimed that Sarah Ferguson has been sneaking into Andrew’s temporary residence. Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 13 Apr. 2026 For example, sneaking out of the house. Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 8 Apr. 2026 Rohan chatted with the women while the children darted around, sneaking looks at us and giggling. Elizabeth Cantrell, Travel + Leisure, 7 Apr. 2026 The novel takes place nearly a decade after the original and sees Andy and Emily come together as top magazine editors when Miranda comes sneaking back into Andy’s life. Rebecca Aizin, PEOPLE, 5 Apr. 2026 Tina Peters is serving a nine-year prison term after being convicted of state crimes for sneaking in an outside computer expert to make a copy of her county's election computer system during a software update in 2021. Arkansas Online, 3 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sneaking
Adjective
  • Leptospires survive in shady, wet and muddy environments, building up on mud particles as slime.
    The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Apr. 2026
  • Alex Cooper asked Alix Earle what’s the beef between them after Earle had seemingly been reposting and commenting on shady videos about her for some time.
    Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 13 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
  • Unlike most lame-duck governors, California’s Gavin Newsom seems ascendant.
    Philip Elliott, Time, 15 Apr. 2026
  • There wasn’t much the voters could do with a menu so lame.
    Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 15 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • There are, as usual, treasures lurking in the gathering of films being offered at this year’s Doc10 documentary film festival.
    Rick Kogan, Chicago Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026
  • There’s often a wise teacher lurking in the past — in this case a teacher who advises the future actor on his name.
    Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 15 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • 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
  • In at least some of the recent cases, this involved infiltrating the victim’ delivery apps like DoorDash or Uber Eats with malware, allowing thieves to learn the victim’s address and other key information.
    Megan Cassidy, San Francisco Chronicle, 3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Sleeping with, or without, a pillow may have a sneaky impact on your health.
    Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 15 Apr. 2026
  • Offensive line, in general, is a sneaky need for the Broncos.
    Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Manson uncovers evidence of two clandestine killer-robot programs, one aerial and the other aquatic, which are being developed in haste.
    Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 15 Apr. 2026
  • This biopic — which Cooper also directed and co-wrote — centers on the complex relationship between Bernstein and his wife, the Costa Rican-Chilean actress Felicia Montealegre (Carey Mulligan), while also exploring his clandestine affairs with men.
    James Mercadante, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • The residents said the large block of dirty ice crashed through their roof and landed on their living room couch.
    Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 14 Apr. 2026
  • But because these sensors come into contact with dirty floors, they can easily get covered with dust and other debris.
    BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Sneaking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sneaking. Accessed 20 Apr. 2026.

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