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sneaky

adjective

ˈsnē-kē How to pronounce sneaky (audio)
Definition of sneakynext
1
as in shady
given to acting in secret and to concealing one's intentions his opponent's sneaky campaign manager was clearly up to something

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in sneak
undertaken or done so as to escape being observed or known by others a sneaky plan to replace the priceless painting with a copy

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 sneaky The Bulldogs are a sneaky talented team, shockingly ranking in the top-20 of the 247Sports Team Talent Composite, as Lebby has done a remarkable job upgrading the personnel at Mississippi State. — Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 28 Aug. 2026 One of Braun’s strengths is an almost sneaky explosiveness combined with reckless abandon — whether sprinting on run-outs, squirting free on back-door cuts, throwing his body into the paint, or rising high to finish open looks from beyond the arc. — Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 25 Aug. 2026 Even if Jacobs gets the majority of goal-line work, Lloyd could be a sneaky RB3/Flex. — Jake Ciely, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026 Pleasants has the temperament and a sneaky-enough anchor to play on the interior, but the Niners can’t even rep him at guard right now. — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 17 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sneaky
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sneaky
  1. shady
  2. clandestine
  3. sly
  4. undercover
  5. stealthy
  6. covert
  7. underground
  8. sneaking
Adjective
  • The series contemplates topics like shady lending practices by financial institutions — something that will resonate deeply with today’s economy — and the ethics of placing oneself in a news story.
    — Maira Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Meanwhile, Melanie’s sister, Steph, begged Melanie to leave Sincere because of his compulsive lying and shady behavior.
    — Allison DeGrushe, StyleCaster, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of shady
Adjective
  • Across Greengrass’ three Bourne movies, the elite assassin turns against the clandestine institution that created him, determined to escape its grip and bring its covert operations to light.
    — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 10 Sep. 2026
  • Or that the Apollo moon landing in 1969 was staged, the video shot on some clandestine movie set.
    — Susan Page, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of clandestine
Adjective
  • Perhaps this saga of planetary conquest is also a sly commentary on Hollywood imperialism, in which even the most far-flung of small-town tales must be overwhelmed by big-name stars in visual-effects drag.
    — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2026
  • In a sly nod to the sort of rom-com conventions that this story has no time for, a dreamily handsome young concierge (Hadi Bou Ayash) comes to her rescue.
    — Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of sly
Adjective
  • And a special shoutout to Jed York, the 49ers owner who was recently in the news after his arrest for allegedly trying to pay $160 to an undercover officer who was posing as a prostitute.
    — Jon Greenberg, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Police then began an undercover investigation of Conahan and later arrested him on murder charges for Montgomery’s killing.
    — Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of undercover
Adjective
  • And as the rapturous applause and screaming showed, such stealthy-chic designs, with small details and a sharp silhouette, still have maximum impact.
    — Christian Allaire, Vogue, 30 Aug. 2026
  • The only quiet thing about it is the stealthy way that the tournament has advanced upon its rivals in the global mega-event category.
    — Ben Ryder Howe, Curbed, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of stealthy
Adjective
  • Across Greengrass’ three Bourne movies, the elite assassin turns against the clandestine institution that created him, determined to escape its grip and bring its covert operations to light.
    — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 10 Sep. 2026
  • Even within those strict parameters, the researchers discovered that about 1,200 AI agents that were not supposed to be communicating with each other used a covert message board.
    — Shaun Raviv, CBS News, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of covert
Adjective
  • In Britain’s North Yorkshire, researchers have established an underground farming facility more than 1,000 meters below ground to test how crops can be cultivated deep beneath the surface.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Unmade follows the legendary underground filmmaker through three years of terminal illness—not as a farewell portrait, but as a final, uncompromising work of his own cinema.
    — Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of underground
Adjective
  • Contributor Yelena Alpert has a sneaking suspicion that these Frette slippers will last a lifetime, attributing her hypothesis to the shoe’s superior quality.
    — Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 10 Mar. 2026
  • The package includes free breakfast for your plus-one (no more sneaking snacks away from the conference), a signature drink each night (perfect for unwinding after your workday ends), and 1,000 bonus IHG One Rewards points.
    — Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 23 Apr. 2025
Definition of sneaking

Browse Nearby Words

sneak up
sneaky
sneer
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Cite this Entry

“Sneaky.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sneaky. Accessed 15 Sep. 2026.

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