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 From sneaky ways to get her grandkids outside to turning tiny household tasks into exciting activities, here are the nostalgic summer things your Southern grandma would use to entertain and delight on a trip to her house. — Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 27 July 2026 This spacious bench doubles as a sneaky deck box, keeping your space guest-ready and clutter-free. — Better Homes & Gardens, 23 July 2026 Don’t miss out on Coach’s sneaky summer sale and shop more finds below. — Kaitlin Clapinski, InStyle, 16 July 2026 However, a sneaky trick when using these patterns is to add a small split shot about a foot up your leader from the fly. — Joe Cermele, Outdoor Life, 9 July 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
  • Wait until fall to sod shady areas to prevent decline due to excessive moisture.
    — Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Aug. 2026
  • His name was carved on the same gravestone as Leslie’s, on a shady plot near the sea, but his ashes were scattered somewhere far from her bones.
    — Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 31 July 2026
Definition of shady
Adjective
  • Throughout the previous four years, Russia has, for example, sent drones and clandestine operatives to disrupt European defense production facilities, military bases, and transport infrastructure.
    — Alexander Gabuev, Foreign Affairs, 31 July 2026
  • In the past, drug traffickers approached the community seeking to build a clandestine airstrip inside their territory.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 23 July 2026
Definition of clandestine
Adjective
  • The camera is in position to see Cena’s sly smile and taps on Gunther’s forearm just so.
    — Darren Cooper, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026
  • Indeed, Grozeva and Valchanov’s sly ability to shift tones from ripely comical to appalling is one of their defining features as filmmakers, along with a penchant for weird and wacky side characters.
    — Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 14 July 2026
Definition of sly
Adjective
  • Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department officer Seth Elliott used confidential police databases to let a drug dealer know about undercover police who were trying to buy drugs, court documents allege.
    — Julia Coin Updated July 30, Charlotte Observer, 30 July 2026
  • Pagnoni was actually communicating with an undercover detective from the Camden County Prosecutor's Office High Tech Crimes Unit.
    — CBS News Philadelphia Staff, CBS News, 30 July 2026
Definition of undercover
Adjective
  • While the Franks, Burgundians, Ostrogoths, Visigoths and their ilk fought among themselves, stealthier territorial claims were being staked in plain sight by beech and oaks and pines.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 30 July 2026
  • And now, the Adrenaline GTS 10 is available in a handful of new colorways which cover a spread from stealthy all-black to sporty pops of color.
    — Riley Jones, Footwear News, 21 July 2026
Definition of stealthy
Adjective
  • Its national intelligence scope will include counterterrorism efforts, national emergency response, and countermeasures against foreign intelligence such as spy activity or covert influence operations.
    — Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 31 July 2026
  • Now, thermal visibility is extremely useful in countless scenarios, such as rescue operations in smoke or darkness, inspections for identifying faults in infrastructure, covert operations in the dark, security monitoring, and safety.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 29 July 2026
Definition of covert
Adjective
  • These were voices—complaining, confiding, exasperated, distressed—that had not been heard before, as if the novel were a speaking tube cued to an underground rumble.
    — Cynthia Zarin, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Eden Aurelius is a relatively recent arrival to New York’s underground club scene, but her slim discography so far shows remarkable focus.
    — Philip Sherburne, Pitchfork, 4 Aug. 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 6 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of sneaky for Spanish Speakers

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