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 The department has been criticized for using surreptitious means to collect DNA, like grabbing a soda can used by a suspect after questioning. Graham Rayman, New York Daily News, 24 Feb. 2025 However, when intentions are left surreptitious, fashion can be used as a political weapon. Chloe Iris Kennedy, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024 The center, which opened in 2022, is responsible for deciphering, and defeating, surreptitious efforts to rig or tilt the American vote. David D. Kirkpatrick, The New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2024 Prince cites a conversation with Atlantic CEO (and former WIRED editor in chief) Nick Thompson as inspiration for the project; Thompson had discussed how many different publishers had encountered surreptitious web scrapers. Kate Knibbs, WIRED, 23 Sep. 2024 See All Example Sentences for surreptitious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for surreptitious
Adjective
  • American veterans and others have traveled to smaller, clandestine clinics for treatment to deal with depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and addiction.
    Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 29 June 2025
  • Gi-hun, who’d found his way back in the clandestine gaming complex (situated inside a mountain on a remote island), is Player 456 again among a new round of contestants.
    Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 28 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
  • On June 24, undercover agents attempted to purchase fireworks from Pan.
    Roni Jacobson, New York Daily News, 30 June 2025
  • 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
Adjective
  • This ambitious project is powered by an army of 432 small robots that are moving the massive structure about 33 feet each day to make way for a new underground development.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 29 June 2025
  • Prime Minister Winston Churchill and his cabinet directed the British war effort during World War II from this secret underground complex.
    Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025
Adjective
  • The recent acquisition of 80% of its operating business by one of Europe’s oldest and most prestigious private equity firms, PAI Partners, values the brand at $3.6 billion.
    Katharina Kotrba, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
  • Robyn and John Horn of Little Rock have donated 105 works of art from their private collection to the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts, the art center’s executive director announced Monday.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 30 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

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

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