sneaking 1 of 2

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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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sneaking
Adjective
  • The mood shifts from shady to straight-up scandalous.
    Shelby Stewart, Essence, 21 Apr. 2025
  • Instead, Fenix lost the biggest match of his young WWE career, albeit under shady circumstances, while Americano picked up a WrestleMania win.
    Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 20 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • As holidays go, however, Flag Day can feel a bit lame.
    Kevin Fisher-Paulson, San Francisco Chronicle, 8 June 2021
  • My 11-year-old loved watching the pups roll balls and play a giant floor piano, but for non-dog owners (guilty as charged), parts of the series—like dressing dogs in little hats and outfits for a Parisian fashion show—feel lame.
    Tim Neville, Outside Online, 23 Nov. 2020
Verb
  • This isn't enough to completely rule out the possibility of any more small planets that might be lurking in the habitable zone.
    Keith Cooper, Space.com, 15 Mar. 2025
  • More than a few crumbs could be lurking in the darkest, deepest recesses of your pantry.
    Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 15 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • And law enforcement agencies started surveilling and infiltrating Muslim communities across the United States.
    Abdallah Fayyad, Vox, 27 Mar. 2025
  • An Army veteran police officer was killed in a shootout during an operational crackdown on transnational drug trafficking organizations infiltrating illicit drugs into the United States, California officials said Wednesday.
    Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 26 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Fifth-round pick Jordan Hancock could be a sneaky option to start down the line, too.
    Joe Buscaglia, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025
  • One that’s sneaky smart is choosing our first singles off an upcoming project.
    Justin Curto, Vulture, 28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • After authorities responded with mass arrests, weavers formed clandestine committees and took secret oaths.
    John Cassidy, New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Til Schweiger plays a sardonic whale-tourism boat captain (and former elite military operative, obviously) who gets roped into taking down a clandestine organization that’s building the perfect super-soldier through genetic experiments.
    Jordan Crucchiola, Vulture, 4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Tom Hardy stars in the neo-noir crime thriller as a corrupt detective named Walker, who shoots, punches, and drop-kicks his way through an entire criminal underworld to rescue the estranged son of dirty politician Lawrence Beaumont (Forest Whitaker).
    Mike Miller, EW.com, 26 Apr. 2025
  • Nearly every dish/pan in the place was dirty multiple times a day.
    Michael Nied, People.com, 25 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Harrison took Georgia’s second-half kickoff all the way to the end zone, slipping a tackle near the middle of the field, cutting toward the right sideline and outrunning everyone.
    Brett Martel, The Denver Post, 2 Jan. 2025
  • Richardson failed at the first one; nailed the second, and was slipping on #3.
    Scott Powers, The Athletic, 30 Dec. 2024

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Cite this Entry

“Sneaking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sneaking. Accessed 2 May. 2025.

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Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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