Synonym Chooser

How is the word stealthy distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of stealthy are clandestine, covert, furtive, secret, surreptitious, and underhanded. While all these words mean "done without attracting observation," stealthy suggests taking pains to avoid being seen or heard especially in some misdoing.

the stealthy step of a burglar

When is it sensible to use clandestine instead of stealthy?

The words clandestine and stealthy can be used in similar contexts, but clandestine implies secrecy usually for an evil, illicit, or unauthorized purpose and often emphasizes the fear of being discovered.

a clandestine meeting of conspirators

When might covert be a better fit than stealthy?

The meanings of covert and stealthy largely overlap; however, covert stresses the fact of not being open or declared.

covert intelligence operations

When could furtive be used to replace stealthy?

In some situations, the words furtive and stealthy are roughly equivalent. However, furtive implies a sly or cautious stealthiness.

lovers exchanging furtive glances

When can secret be used instead of stealthy?

Although the words secret and stealthy have much in common, secret implies concealment on any grounds for any motive.

met at a secret location

When is surreptitious a more appropriate choice than stealthy?

The synonyms surreptitious and stealthy are sometimes interchangeable, but surreptitious applies to action or behavior done secretly often with skillful avoidance of detection and in violation of custom, law, or authority.

the surreptitious stockpiling of weapons

When would underhanded be a good substitute for stealthy?

The words underhanded and stealthy are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, underhanded stresses fraud or deception.

an underhanded trick

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 stealthy The British designer made a stealthy comeback in 2023 with a namesake label hinged on her brand of modern minimalism, womanly allure and uncompromising quality. Wwd Staff, Footwear News, 10 Sep. 2025 Not sure if this one was already posted besides all the other fancy stuff … looks like a new cruise missile (most likely a land-attack system) and maybe also as a stealthy KD-20/20A replacement? Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 2 Sep. 2025 Many wondered how the Packers were able to be all stealthy in nabbing Parsons. Matthew Schmidt, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Sep. 2025 Lack of meaningful recognition, however, is a stealthy driving force in the crisis. Mark C. Perna, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for stealthy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stealthy
Adjective
  • But when a mysterious and powerful agent disrupts the negotiations, Brahim discovers the shady side of the business.
    Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Remove a few overhead tree branches if your planting site is too shady.
    Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • What’s being communicated in this clandestine network of underground messaging?
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 7 Oct. 2025
  • There’s a lead character’s creeping paranoia, a plot driven by nefarious and clandestine powers that be, the encroachment of the past on the present.
    Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Washington is a sneaky-good replacement for Tyreek Hill, given his comparable speed and elusiveness.
    Jacob Robinson, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
  • The character had a sneaky pathos.
    Rachel Syme, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Get Ready: Katy Perry Has Released a Sneak Peek of Her New Song And the internet has receipts.
    Mehera Bonner, Marie Claire, 15 Mar. 2017
Adjective
  • What is left of Bob’s old revolutionary group, the French 75, has gone to ground, sending furtive signals out into the universe now and again but otherwise lying dormant.
    Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 17 Sep. 2025
  • Silver might be comforted by the fact that even many liberals who had fled for Bluesky seem to be embracing X-ism once more, creeping back onto the platform with a certain furtive guilt.
    Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • This model protects against allergens like pollen and pet dander, smoke, dust, and does it all from a place of covert, inoffensive design.
    Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 3 Oct. 2025
  • The detectives’ new case takes them to a remote Arctic research station, where a member of a covert British special forces mission has been shot dead.
    Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The actress was making a sly reference to her 1984 thriller Firestarter.
    Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Solnicki has created a sly and slippery kind of film that, much like its leading actor’s grin, is hilarious and devastating in equal measure.
    Manuel Betancourt, Variety, 28 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • One person Smith communicated with was an undercover FBI agent, according to prosecutors.
    Julia Marnin, Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2025
  • Nearly 10 years after his demise, Holliday decides to go undercover as Powers to try and get a second chance with a struggling college team at South Georgia.
    Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 30 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Stealthy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stealthy. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.

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