Synonym Chooser

How is the word surreptitious distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of surreptitious are clandestine, covert, furtive, secret, stealthy, and underhanded. While all these words mean "done without attracting observation," 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 clandestine be a good substitute for surreptitious?

The synonyms clandestine and surreptitious are sometimes interchangeable, 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

In what contexts can covert take the place of surreptitious?

While the synonyms covert and surreptitious are close in meaning, covert stresses the fact of not being open or declared.

covert intelligence operations

When might furtive be a better fit than surreptitious?

While in some cases nearly identical to surreptitious, furtive implies a sly or cautious stealthiness.

lovers exchanging furtive glances

Where would secret be a reasonable alternative to surreptitious?

The meanings of secret and surreptitious largely overlap; however, secret implies concealment on any grounds for any motive.

met at a secret location

When could stealthy be used to replace surreptitious?

The words stealthy and surreptitious are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, stealthy suggests taking pains to avoid being seen or heard especially in some misdoing.

the stealthy step of a burglar

When is underhanded a more appropriate choice than surreptitious?

The words underhanded and surreptitious can be used in similar contexts, but 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 surreptitious In the evenings, Vincent embarks on a surreptitious love affair with Arthur, a soldier on leave — who's also the son of Vincent's governess. Lizz Schumer, People.com, 27 May 2025 There’s nothing surreptitious about my administration. Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 11 May 2025 Reporters from around the country followed the case, which marked the first time ever that prosecutors would play for a jury a surreptitious FBI recording of mob soldiers taking the oath of omerta during a mafia initiation ceremony. Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 21 Apr. 2025 The first surreptitious shots of Robbie in costume, however, lit up the internet anew. Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 24 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for surreptitious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for surreptitious
Adjective
  • The Bundy family’s statement noted this and said their destination was not clandestine, as the FBI document alleged.
    Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 7 Sep. 2025
  • The result was the Commandos, who operated in clandestine raids behind the lines to harass the enemy with remarkable success.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Woman of the Hour In her directorial debut, Anna Kendrick stars as aspiring actress Sheryl Bradshaw, who unknowingly crosses paths with a covert serial killer (Daniel Zovatto) while appearing on The Dating Game.
    Jacqueline Weiss, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025
  • That provision allows a president to take covert actions as long as Congress is informed.
    Emily Goodin, Miami Herald, 5 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
  • In it, Super Bowl-winning quarterback Eli Manning goes undercover in heavy prosthetics and a wig and dons the alias Chad Powers to try out as a walk-on quarterback for Penn State football.
    Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Sep. 2025
  • Senate Bill 627, for example, would prohibit law enforcement agents from covering their faces to obscure their identity, carving out exceptions for SWAT teams and undercover officers.
    Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Korean Central News Agency/AP What To Know North Korea has conducted six underground nuclear tests since 2006, the most recent in 2017.
    Robert Birsel, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Around a million years ago, a sinkhole opened, turning the Cedar Creek waterway into an underground river.
    Lydia Mansel, Southern Living, 8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • In some states where there is no anonymity for individual winners, people can still claim prizes anonymously through private trusts.
    Safiyah Riddle, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2025
  • But the new private terminal is winning their support, with the backing of historians and preservationists who have been fighting to maintain South Florida’s aviation legacy in a region known for tearing down buildings.
    Vinod Sreeharsha, Miami Herald, 6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • 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

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Cite this Entry

“Surreptitious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surreptitious. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.

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