sneaks 1 of 2

Definition of sneaksnext
present tense third-person singular of sneak
1
as in lurks
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 infiltrates
to introduce in a gradual, secret, or clever way sneak the topic into the conversation any way you can

Synonyms & Similar Words

sneaks

2 of 2

noun

plural of sneak
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
Verb
But some sunlight still sneaks through Earth’s atmosphere, bends around the planet and lands on the moon. Tiffany Acosta, AZCentral.com, 3 Mar. 2026 Benedict is still all in with love, convincingly enough that Sophie sneaks back to her room, glowing and grinning, with the drawing of Our Cottage clutched in her hands. Christina Grace Tucker, Vulture, 26 Feb. 2026 Saka sneaks in between the pair and Guglielmo Vicario makes a drastic save. Elias Burke, New York Times, 24 Feb. 2026 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
Noun
There were sneaks stateside on Saturday which will be rolled into Thursday previews which start at 2PM. Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 4 Mar. 2026 Ax’s piano sneaks in as a junior partner, politely turning over its concerto to a colleague. Justin Davidson, Vulture, 3 Mar. 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 He can’t be stopped short on most sneaks. 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sneaks
Verb
  • Pollan is understandably chary about the potential romanticism that lurks behind his conclusions.
    Charles Finch, The Atlantic, 24 Feb. 2026
  • 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
Verb
  • Directed by Daniel Chong, the movie is about a 19-year-old environmentalist who infiltrates the animal world in the body of a beaver.
    Lindsey Bahr, Fortune, 9 Mar. 2026
  • Directed by Daniel Chong, the movie is about a 19-year-old environmentalist who infiltrates the animal world in the body of a beaver.
    Lindsey Bahr, Chicago Tribune, 8 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Nike consistently hooks up the University of Oregon‘s athletic programs with exclusive sneakers because of their longstanding relationship, and the newest spoils to emerge come via Nike’s most futuristic new basketball sneaker.
    Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 9 Mar. 2026
  • For his part, Styles wore a navy Prada zip-up jacket with straight-leg jeans, Adidas Sambas sneakers (his go-to recently), and a white pair of clout goggle shades.
    Christian Allaire, Vogue, 9 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • That is when boards start re-rating risks, lenders start sharpening pencils and capex slips down the priority list.
    Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 9 Mar. 2026
  • Hynes’ music slips between R&B, indie rock and orchestral pop, often within the same song — something built on feeling rather than definition.
    Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 9 Mar. 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
  • Like other types of wildlife, such as raccoons, opossums, and skunks, coyotes love an easy meal and will quickly learn where to find one, says Owen.
    Arricca Elin SanSone, Southern Living, 9 Mar. 2026
  • Owens has spotted coyotes, crayfish, snakes, bats, foxes, skunks and a wide array of butterflies and moths on her daily walks through the forest.
    Jenna Ebbers, Kansas City Star, 6 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • In some exclusive shots from Zendaya’s recent A24 shoot with Robert Pattinson (promoting their new wedding film, The Drama, premiering on April 3), Z’s new bixie cut steals the show.
    Grace McCarty, Glamour, 5 Mar. 2026
  • The seeded, legendary Liscio’s Bakery roll (shoutout to South Jersey) steals the show.
    Jamie Graziano, Charlotte Observer, 5 Mar. 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

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Cite this Entry

“Sneaks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sneaks. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.

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