1
2
as in infiltrates
to introduce in a gradual, secret, or clever way
sneak the topic into the conversation any way you can
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in sneakers
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
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 sneaks
Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 14 Feb. 2026
Nasir Khan, a scrawny Pakistani American college student living with his parents in Queens, sneaks out and drives his dad’s taxi to a party in Manhattan.
—Stephanie Bai, The Atlantic, 8 Feb. 2026
In addition to its star billing, Albuquerque also sneaks into a few supporting roles.
—Kat Chen, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Jan. 2026
That pressure sneaks into how candidates speak, frame their stories and answer even routine questions.
—Cheryl Robinson, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
Romance sneaks into your schedule, making things feel disruptive and unexpected, Virgo.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 17 Jan. 2026
With a new alias, Andrew Birch, Pine sneaks around Roper’s Majorca compound and relays key documents to Burr, all while keeping an indiscriminate profile.
—Jake Kring-Schreifels, Time, 9 Jan. 2026
Now, with nowhere else to turn, Mauser sneaks in uninvited to a swanky party in Rockwell's home and begs for his support in front of his wealthy friends.
—Mike Miller, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Dec. 2025
But watching how the flu virus sneaks into cells has been difficult because standard microscopes can't capture these fast, tiny steps clearly.
—Pranjal Malewar, New Atlas, 12 Dec. 2025
Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 30 Jan. 2026
These shoes bring the comfort and versatility of your favorite sneaks, but with a distinctly polished, cool-girl edge.
—Annie Blackman, InStyle, 12 Jan. 2026
Where the North Florida team couldn’t stop him from bulling for two 1-yard touchdowns and several other other successful sneaks, Bills defenders stopped quarterback Trevor Lawrence’s fourth-and-2 rush at their 8.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Jan. 2026
This is where the cold sneaks in.
—Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 10 Jan. 2026
According to Canales, the decision to not use Young on QB sneaks is about physics.
—Charlotte Observer, 16 Dec. 2025
Rocky sneaks after her, sprinting through Manhattan streets and even swimming across a river — all in red silk pajamas — to reach her and propose in a romantically cinematic gesture.
—Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 30 Nov. 2025
Jason Kelce noted Bills quarterback Josh Allen scored twice against the Chiefs on sneaks.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 5 Nov. 2025
About six minutes later, Dawson Knox caught a 30-yarder in the second quarter to set up the first of Allen’s two TD sneaks.
—The Athletic Nfl Staff, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025
Verb
Carolyn sneaks into a gala; Klein, the fairy godmother, introduces her to the instantly besotted prince, John.
—Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 14 Feb. 2026
Nasir Khan, a scrawny Pakistani American college student living with his parents in Queens, sneaks out and drives his dad’s taxi to a party in Manhattan.
—Stephanie Bai, The Atlantic, 8 Feb. 2026
In addition to its star billing, Albuquerque also sneaks into a few supporting roles.
—Kat Chen, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Jan. 2026
That pressure sneaks into how candidates speak, frame their stories and answer even routine questions.
—Cheryl Robinson, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
Romance sneaks into your schedule, making things feel disruptive and unexpected, Virgo.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 17 Jan. 2026
With a new alias, Andrew Birch, Pine sneaks around Roper’s Majorca compound and relays key documents to Burr, all while keeping an indiscriminate profile.
—Jake Kring-Schreifels, Time, 9 Jan. 2026
Now, with nowhere else to turn, Mauser sneaks in uninvited to a swanky party in Rockwell's home and begs for his support in front of his wealthy friends.
—Mike Miller, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Dec. 2025
But watching how the flu virus sneaks into cells has been difficult because standard microscopes can't capture these fast, tiny steps clearly.
—Pranjal Malewar, New Atlas, 12 Dec. 2025
Noun
Send Help‘s numbers include sneaks from last weekend.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 30 Jan. 2026
These shoes bring the comfort and versatility of your favorite sneaks, but with a distinctly polished, cool-girl edge.
—Annie Blackman, InStyle, 12 Jan. 2026
Where the North Florida team couldn’t stop him from bulling for two 1-yard touchdowns and several other other successful sneaks, Bills defenders stopped quarterback Trevor Lawrence’s fourth-and-2 rush at their 8.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Jan. 2026
This is where the cold sneaks in.
—Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 10 Jan. 2026
According to Canales, the decision to not use Young on QB sneaks is about physics.
—Charlotte Observer, 16 Dec. 2025
Rocky sneaks after her, sprinting through Manhattan streets and even swimming across a river — all in red silk pajamas — to reach her and propose in a romantically cinematic gesture.
—Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 30 Nov. 2025
Jason Kelce noted Bills quarterback Josh Allen scored twice against the Chiefs on sneaks.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 5 Nov. 2025
About six minutes later, Dawson Knox caught a 30-yarder in the second quarter to set up the first of Allen’s two TD sneaks.
—The Athletic Nfl Staff, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sneaks
Verb
-
In the American pop-culture feedback loop, at the football-movie intersection between sports and cinema and how the two inform and reflect each other, lurks a line delivery that lasts only a couple of seconds.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
11 Feb. 2026
-
This state of affairs allows the Thunder to be the giant that lurks quietly while pondering its choices before Thursday afternoon’s trade deadline.—
Mike Vorkunov,
New York Times,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Created by Eden, Moshe Zonder and Maor Kohn, written by Tony Saint and Simon Allen, and directed by Daniel Syrkin, the series stars Niv Sultan as a Mossad hacker-agent who infiltrates Tehran under a false identity, Shaun Toub, and Shila Ommi.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Based on a 2019 Cosmopolitan article, the limited series follows an undercover investigator, played by Chastain, who infiltrates domestic extremist groups to thwart catastrophic large-scale attacks.—
Cheyenne Roundtree,
Rolling Stone,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Btfbm Striped Tracksuit The perfect outfit for fans of cool, sporty athleisure, Btfbm’s new tracksuit—which launched just last month—delivers retro streetwear vibes, from the contrast piping to the split-front pant hem that frames your favorite sneakers.—
Olivia Young,
Travel + Leisure,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Harry, for his part, wore a gray cap, a navy button-up shirt, black jeans, and green suede sneakers with a white sole.—
Rachel Burchfield,
InStyle,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Responsibility slips quietly from the user to the tool.—
Deb Roy,
The Atlantic,
15 Feb. 2026
-
An arctic cold front slips through the area as the clipper system that brought light snow Friday will drop temperatures dangerously low overnight.—
Vytas Reid,
CBS News,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Guiteau eventually worms his way into an audience, ostensibly seeking an ambassadorship for his dubious contributions to the campaign but, in reality, requesting a path to greatness.—
Inkoo Kang,
New Yorker,
11 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
In addition, there’s the risk of secondary toxicity if a mole is eaten by a bird of prey or other predator including foxes and skunks.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
15 Feb. 2026
-
But toads and frogs are also prey animals for owls, hawks, skunks, opossums, and raccoons.—
Michelle Mastro,
Martha Stewart,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Anthony may first settle into seasons of roughly 18-22 homers with mid-teens steals before any full breakout, meaning current drafters are paying for future peak production rather than present skills.—
Derek VanRiper,
New York Times,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Continue reading … -- IN OTHER NEWS VICTORY LAP — Tyler Reddick steals Daytona 500 win in wild last-lap shootout.—
,
FOXNews.com,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Meanwhile, Catherine’s ignored handmaid, Nelly (Hong Chau), inserts herself into everyone’s drama out of pique.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Perhaps most perceptively captivating is the sweetly cunning way Marczak inserts himself into the film.—
Murtada Elfadl,
Variety,
6 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sneaks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sneaks. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
