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
  • Co-created by The New York Times bestselling author Carr and season 1 creator and showrunner David DiGilio, Dark Wolf follows Ben Edwards (Taylor Kitsch) on his journey from the SEALs to the clandestine side of CIA special operations.
    Susan Young, PEOPLE, 11 Sep. 2025
  • 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
Adjective
  • Moreover, the lobster boat and the Mako were covert FBI assets carefully disguised as legitimate smuggling vessels.
    Martin Suarez, Rolling Stone, 13 Sep. 2025
  • If compromised, malicious radios inside them could be used for simultaneous outages or covert data collection, the FHWA warned.
    Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 11 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
  • Cameron Crowe researched what would become his debut script by going undercover as a high school student for a full year in what can only be described as a 21 Jump Street stunt.
    Paul Fitzgerald, Rolling Stone, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Further, this legislation is unnecessary if it is truly intended to apply to undercover officers.
    Charles Champion, Oc Register, 8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Billie Eilish’s unplugged Live at Third Man Records, back in 2019, was a limited-edition vinyl release, which instantly designated it an underground item.
    David Browne, Rolling Stone, 13 Sep. 2025
  • The film was an underground sensation, an endurance test for morbidly curious teens.
    James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The executives were able to meet with Pope Leo in a private audience that included others, according to a person familiar with the matter.
    Brian Steinberg, Variety, 12 Sep. 2025
  • This is the web version of Term Sheet, a daily newsletter on the biggest deals and dealmakers in venture capital and private equity.
    Allie Garfinkle, Fortune, 12 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 18 Sep. 2025.

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