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
Ortiz sneaks field recordings and samples into these songs, too—each adding texture to the universe of her songs and evoking the wider world that exists just outside the frame of her narration. Marissa Lorusso, Pitchfork, 24 Mar. 2026 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
Noun
Wear them to work with a pair of cute loafers and a spring blouse, or dress them down with a tee and your favorite sneaks for a comfy-casual look. Madeline Merinuk, PEOPLE, 3 Apr. 2026 Fields also ran eight QB sneaks in 2025 — a play absent from the Chiefs playbook since Mahomes dislocated his kneecap on a sneak in 2019 — and converted seven of them. Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 17 Mar. 2026 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sneaks
Verb
  • The Churchill Suite peers over the Ministry of Defence (where Henry VIII’s wine cellar still lurks) and was the locus of military strategising.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Apr. 2026
  • Perhaps now, the couple will question everything while also trying to protect their children from the evil that lurks.
    Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 31 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The film centers on a wealthy family whose polished exterior begins to crack when an ancient centipede spirit infiltrates their bloodline.
    Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 1 Apr. 2026
  • When investigative journalist infiltrates the group, the noose around the sect begins to tighten.
    Marta Balaga, Variety, 20 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Barnes stood with dancerly poise in a crisp white shirt, a black tie, and cushy black sneakers.
    Naaman Zhou, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026
  • Police recently clarified she was last seen wearing a white T-shirt, light blue jeans and white sneakers with a black stripe, updating an earlier description of different clothing.
    Peter D'Abrosca, FOXNews.com, 6 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • By April 19, the sun slips into Taurus, bringing your attention to themes of communication, siblings and everyday interactions.
    Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 1 Apr. 2026
  • In a market increasingly focused on slowing growth, softer consumer spending, and more selective valuation discipline, Marriott looks vulnerable to a meaningful re-rating lower if execution slips even modestly.
    Tony Zhang, CNBC, 1 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • MomTok got Taylor on the plane and off to star in The Bachelorette, but not before Dakota worms his way in one last time.
    Joe Reid, Vulture, 13 Mar. 2026
  • 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 most common garden pests, skunks are often misunderstood creatures.
    Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 5 Apr. 2026
  • Health officials in Oakland County reported that a resident was bitten by a skunk last Friday, which tested positive for rabies earlier this week.
    Eric Henderson, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • That’s before Morgan steals a necklace from a chintzy gift shop run by a Turkish gangster named Yusuf, who proceeds to kidnap the pair, intimidate them at gunpoint, and threaten their family, forcing them to perform an array of odd jobs to make up for the petty theft.
    Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 9 Apr. 2026
  • Nicky’s life is upended when his sister Morgan (Taylor Ortega) steals a necklace for their dying grandmother from a boutique with ties to a criminal organization.
    Erin Jensen, USA Today, 9 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The change added a room where prisoners are to be examined and prepped for either a standard peripheral IV, or a central line — a more invasive procedure that inserts into the internal jugular in the neck, a femoral vein in the upper thigh or a subclavian vein in the chest.
    Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 11 Mar. 2026
  • 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

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Cite this Entry

“Sneaks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sneaks. Accessed 12 Apr. 2026.

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