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 Now, scientists writing in Frontiers in Earth Sciences have identified certain characteristics that explain the stealthy nature of Veniaminof and others like it. Rosie McCall, Discover Magazine, 16 June 2025 Worse, its ground-hugging flight technology to avoid enemy defenses is becoming increasingly obsolete and distinctly less stealthy against satellites and other sophisticated sensors – not to mention electronic warfare countermeasures. David Szondy june 12, New Atlas, 12 June 2025 The vulnerability can also be exploited remotely to make infections stealthier and more powerful if an attacker has already gained administrative control of a machine. Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 10 June 2025 On TikTok, viewers were quick to react to Winston's stealthy fail. Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for stealthy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stealthy
Adjective
  • One of them is Martin Krebs (Rupert Friend), a shady pharmaceuticals bigwig who wants to develop the world’s most effective heart medication using dinosaur blood samples.
    Tom Gliatto, People.com, 30 June 2025
  • Old-school bedding impatiens will bloom continuously in a shady spot.
    Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 29 June 2025
Adjective
  • After paying private equity tycoon Jack McGinley $52 million in a clandestine off-market deal for the Georgian-style spread, which was designed by architect Don Nulty and built in 2009 for 9-1-1: Lone Star actor Rob Lowe, Levine and Prinsloo have put the place back on the market for $65 million.
    Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 10 July 2025
  • Built to listen for clandestine nuclear bomb blasts, the globe-spanning system detects low-frequency acoustic-gravity waves.
    Deni Ellis Béchard, Scientific American, 9 July 2025
Adjective
  • Another sneaky one to watch is starting center Connor McGovern, who is also a free agent after the season.
    The Athletic NFL Staff, New York Times, 8 July 2025
  • And since his value has been diminished by the fact a logjam at forward made everyone forget about him, a team could nab this sneaky contributor for not too much more than the veteran minimum.
    Mat Issa, Forbes.com, 11 June 2025
Adjective
  • Mounting fear within the Jewish and Conservative communities of New York is that Mamdani’s furtive stance of justice for Palestine and divestment from Israel is stoking the flame of more virulent Anti-Semitism to come.
    Alexandra Bregman, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • The clip, which shows the dog giving its owner furtive side-eye while cautiously walking by captured the breed's endearing blend of innocence and mischief.
    Maria Morava, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 June 2025
Adjective
  • Now, after Operation Midnight Hammer, arguably one of the most perfect covert military operations in U.S. history, who could argue? Even Trump’s most ardent critics had to give him credit.
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 28 June 2025
  • The show has spent its entire fourth season tiptoeing around Sydney’s covert job offer, Carmy’s partnership alterations, and whatever was going on inside Richie’s GoFastBoatsMojito brain, but in one big, 30-odd-minute bottle episode, it’s all been laid on the table.
    Marah Eakin, Vulture, 26 June 2025
Adjective
  • Demonstrating a talent for working in fluent french peppered with a british accent, the actor delivers one of his most indelible acting turns as the sly, wry, and wise business mogul-turned- butler who finds new purpose in life working on the other side of the fence.
    Pete Hammond, Deadline, 3 July 2025
  • The sly twist from humility to confidence — all delivered with a not self-aware nonchalant shrug to the crowd — drives home how much more powerful the song is, in every case, than its writer or performer.
    Marcus K. Dowling, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
Adjective
  • Conan Edogawa and Detective Kogoro Mouri join the Nagano prefectural police to investigate a break-in at the observatory while uncovering a deeper plot involving undercover agents, betrayal, and vengeance.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 30 June 2025
  • On June 24, undercover agents attempted to purchase fireworks from Pan.
    Roni Jacobson, New York Daily News, 30 June 2025
Adjective
  • As originally proposed, the CTA Super Loop running west from North and Clybourn would have merely grazed Lincoln Yards with an underground station at the far southwestern corner of the tract, North and Elston.
    F.K. Plous, Chicago Tribune, 11 July 2025
  • There are several places to park for Scottsdale Canal Convergence: Scottsdale Waterfront underground parking garage, 7135 E. Camelback Road.
    Meredith G. White, AZCentral.com, 10 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Stealthy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stealthy. Accessed 14 Jul. 2025.

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