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

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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
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 The Amazon sneaks and Wednesday grosses will be rolled into Thursday. Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 18 Nov. 2025 That simplicity cuts out the mental friction that often sneaks into short trips with overstuffed itineraries from trying to do everything in a short time. Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 16 Nov. 2025 In a last-ditch effort to clear her name, Aggie sneaks into the gallery where Nina works. Keith Langston, PEOPLE, 14 Nov. 2025 Dreamed up at Neiman Marcus in the 1950s, this retro classic blends creamy cheese, bacon, and green onions, then sneaks in almonds for a little surprise crunch. Maggie Meyer Glisan, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Nov. 2025 Clara, grieving in her own way, sneaks out, gets drunk and high and sees her boyfriend without her mom’s permission. Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 24 Oct. 2025
Noun
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 Usually that’s where the story ends but here, ground cardamom sneaks in for some warm spice. The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 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 Set in the old rail cars of a former train depot, the energy of Donn's sneaks right out the front door and onto the streets. Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 27 Oct. 2025 Farther west, some rain could occur over the central Gulf Coast, but amounts will be dependent on how much sneaks onshore, with heavier amounts offshore, the prediction center said. Doyle Rice, USA Today, 4 Oct. 2025 Take a cue from the Celine runways and pair them with a blazer, low-profile retro sneaks, and a silk scarf knotted around the neck. Christina Holevas, Vogue, 1 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sneaks
Verb
  • But beneath this viral joke among African Americans lurks a hidden history of slavery, voodoo, and rebellion.
    Essence, Essence, 29 Oct. 2025
  • Meanwhile, a manipulative judge, Roland Brack (Nicholas Pinnock), lurks around the fringes, hoping to seduce or even blackmail the electrically attractive Hedda.
    Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 22 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • That winter wonderland becomes a claustrophobic nightmare when an extraterrestrial shapeshifter infiltrates the base camp.
    Huntley Woods, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Dec. 2025
  • Dhurandhar, which follows an Indian spy who infiltrates Pakistan’s underworld to dismantle terror networks, was not cleared for release, The National reported.
    Tasneem Nashrulla, semafor.com, 15 Dec. 2025
Noun
  • Sleek sneakers, like the Adidas Taekwondo Slip-on, are easy to walk in and style, pairing with trousers, dresses, or denim.
    Gabrielle Porcaro, Travel + Leisure, 10 Jan. 2026
  • The sneakers come in 21 colors — but users can score them for 20 percent off in specific shades, including white and cielo blue, carnation and starlight glow, and droplet and druzy.
    Averi Baudler, PEOPLE, 10 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Yet real sovereignty slips further away.
    Rick Singh, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Jan. 2026
  • Gwath slips the screen and positions himself for a lob from Byrd.
    Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Jan. 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
  • Thiols are responsible for the distinctive aromas of skunk spray and ripe durian; they’re also added to natural gas to provide a detectable rotten-egg smell at even trace levels.
    Nicola Twilley, New Yorker, 5 Jan. 2026
  • Some owls will hunt the wildlife that raids our garbage cans, like skunks and opossums.
    Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 2 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Oscar Isaac plays the pompous Victor Frankenstein, though Jacob Elordi steals the movie as the tragic and eloquent Creature.
    Brian Truitt, USA Today, 7 Nov. 2025
  • The Traverse Wine Coast has something special in every season, but autumn steals the show when the hills light up with color and harvest season brings the grapes in from the vines.
    Iona Brannon, Travel + Leisure, 6 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Detailed this week in the journal ACS Sensors, the team describes a small device made from an array of microneedles that inserts into a dead fish (or fillets) and continuously measures hypoxanthine (HX), a key compound closely associated with spoilage.
    Mack DeGeurin, Popular Science, 4 Dec. 2025
  • Amid the melodrama, Trier inserts flashes of comedy.
    Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 14 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

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

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