as in hijacker
someone who hides on a ship, airplane, etc., in order to travel without paying or being seen
A stowaway was discovered on the ship.
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Recent Examples of stowaway
Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 24 Mar. 2026
The 2022 deal struck by Starmer’s predecessor, Rishi Sunak, involved sending migrants who arrive in the UK as stowaways or in boats to the East African country.
—Mike Corder, Los Angeles Times, 18 Mar. 2026
Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Nov. 2025
Over 77 percent of people who have tried to stow away on a plane have lost their lives, the Federal Aviation Administration previously said, per CNN.
—Gabrielle Rockson, PEOPLE, 29 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stowaway
Noun
Traveler Melissa Oddie captured video of the furry stowaway, which the airport later shared on Facebook.
—Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 24 Mar. 2026
The 2022 deal struck by Starmer’s predecessor, Rishi Sunak, involved sending migrants who arrive in the UK as stowaways or in boats to the East African country.
—Mike Corder, Los Angeles Times, 18 Mar. 2026
Verb
Use the containers to stow away your pet's grooming tools, medications, outerwear, costumes, or backup toys.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Nov. 2025
Over 77 percent of people who have tried to stow away on a plane have lost their lives, the Federal Aviation Administration previously said, per CNN.
—Gabrielle Rockson, PEOPLE, 29 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stowaway
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stowaway
Noun
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The hijacker was killed when Turkish commandos stormed the airliner and freed the 40 passengers and crew.—
Lorenzino Estrada,
AZCentral.com,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In short, this step ensures the mission doesn't accidentally carry any hitchhiking microorganisms to Mars.—
Chelsea Gohd,
Space.com,
1 May 2026
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Weeds can come back if the entire root system isn’t killed, and new seeds can sprout later thanks to wind, bird droppings, animal fur, and even hitchhiking in on your shoes and pants.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Emin’s masterpiece thumbed its nose at a tradition of recumbent feminine flesh on tousled white sheets (think Titian’s Venus of Urbino, Manet’s Olympia, or any number of bosomy Lucian Freud nudes).—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 Apr. 2026
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Unfortunately, that’s the only real recourse the public has with a Congress that still gleefully thumbs its nose at the laws and rules that apply to others.—
Douglas MacKinnon,
Washington Post,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Opting out of the primary opens the door for the most partisan elements of a party to hijack the nomination process.—
Kent Thiry,
Denver Post,
27 Apr. 2026
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In the final cut, Mabel accidentally stumbles upon research being done by her biology professor (Kathy Najimy), discovers the technology, and hijacks a robot beaver.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Nowadays, executives are cautious not to hitch their wagon on a single territory, as geographic balance is one of the few real hedges the industry has to weather current turbulences.—
Lily Templeton,
Footwear News,
1 May 2026
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Washing and drying clothes at high temperature can help kill any ticks that managed to hitch a ride.—
Lakshmi Chauhan,
The Conversation,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stowaway.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stowaway. Accessed 5 May. 2026.
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