sneaks 1 of 2

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

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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
And that’s where the Leonard situation sneaks into the equation. Fred Katz, New York Times, 16 July 2026 Moana sneaks away and sets sail, with the ocean guiding her at every step. David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 8 July 2026 This episode sneaks some plot in toward the end, as the 10-Petal’s most skeptical cowboy, Austin, comes to Rip and finally — finally! Noel Murray, Vulture, 26 June 2026 One of them invites Bonnie over for a sleepover, and Jessie sneaks into her overnight bag, not realizing that toys are verboten to the new generation. Damon Wise, Deadline, 16 June 2026 This bucket crossbody bag satisfies both in a minimalist silhouette, which sneaks in luxurious details like nappa leather trims, protective metal feet, and a secure zipper top closure. Olivia Cigliano, InStyle, 26 May 2026 That day, Riley had been editing a sequence in which Corvette sneaks into a San Francisco condo owned by Christie, her fashion idol, by hiding inside a coffee delivery cart. Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 17 May 2026 While the males are fighting, the female sneaks off to get some quick action behind enemy lines. Big Think, 8 May 2026 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
Noun
This combination of music and entertainment sneaks education in where kids least expect it. Parents, 10 July 2026 In this case, a creator pairs her sneaks with a graphic tee. Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 16 June 2026 These sneaks utilize the latest running innovations to ensure your kicks improve performance while still looking stylish. Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 22 Apr. 2026 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 He can’t be stopped short on most sneaks. Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sneaks
Verb
  • Those combinations are concentrated through the middle, where Messi generally lurks, with Argentina directing a smaller share of their passing towards the flanks than any other team.
    Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 20 July 2026
  • In Elliott’s Connecticut, the governor would send a busload of stern but compassionate counselors to protect workers hiding in their office where a gunman lurks.
    Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 18 July 2026
Verb
  • Yet up here hardly a sound infiltrates the noble trees that surround the estate.
    Nielsen Dinwoodie, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
  • The eight-part Spanish-language drama, inspired by real events, is set in 1980s Lima, Peru, and follows the rise of an elite law school cabal that infiltrates academia, politics, and organized crime.
    Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 15 July 2026
Noun
  • Ballet sneakers are super trendy at the moment, which makes this pair’s $75 price tag extra enticing.
    Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 22 July 2026
  • While some people love white sneakers or sexy stilettos, Aniston’s go-to shoe is a pair of wedges.
    Samantha Sutton, InStyle, 22 July 2026
Verb
  • Later this evening, however, the moon slips into the meticulous and methodical sign of Virgo, which, in turn, grounds the atmosphere.
    Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 16 July 2026
  • By night, people drift toward the beach, dinner tables fill, and music slips through the air.
    Rafael Peña, Miami Herald, 15 July 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
  • Very Rivian also means yeti graphics on its vehicles, and Easter eggs like a frog and skunk underneath the washer fluid cover up front.
    Greg Migliore, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
  • Compared to skunks and coyotes, raccoons were the quickest to discover that tapping the left button would release food, with most of the eight raccoon subjects unlocking the puzzle within one or two attempts.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 July 2026
Verb
  • What data CrashStealer steals from a Mac CrashStealer searches broadly across the Mac.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 21 July 2026
  • Raj steals Shah’s story about his family experiencing a hate crime and uses it as a way to become more respected and popular.
    Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 20 July 2026
Verb
  • Luz inserts the construction pole; Susana sniffs.
    Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 26 June 2026
  • Once seated at the computer, the hacker inserts a USB drive or external hard drive.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 13 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Sneaks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sneaks. Accessed 24 Jul. 2026.

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