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 course of that surreptitious mission, Meachum (played by Jensen Ackles) stumbled into a heated hand-to-hand fight inside the consulate’s security station, where all sorts of limbs were thrown, much furniture broken. Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 16 July 2025 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 See All Example Sentences for surreptitious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for surreptitious
Adjective
  • Duplicity, directed by Tony Gilroy, follows two corporate spies, Claire (Roberts) and Ray (Owen), who become embroiled in a clandestine love affair.
    Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 2025
  • There’s a clandestine quality to it all.
    Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 14 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Gallagher Trombley, the Digital Mom Media founder, worries that the helicopter parenting and the constant surveillance of our children, covert or otherwise, might have harmed an entire generation.
    Don Riddell, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2025
  • Those concerns have reportedly deepened tensions within the Pentagon over the military’s expanding role in supporting covert geopolitical objectives without clear congressional authorization.
    Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Oct. 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
  • Though the story that White had told the undercover officers didn’t suggest an intentional killing, he was charged with murder.
    Eren Orbey, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2025
  • Border czar Tom Homan received $50,000 in cash from undercover FBI agents.
    Kate Wolffe October 9, Sacbee.com, 9 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • This particular system uses an underground connecting cable between two passenger cabins.
    Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2025
  • By the time Fierstein graduated from art school in 1973, he was fully enmeshed in the downtown underground-theater scene.
    Zach Schiffman, Vulture, 20 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • At a private event at the Indiana Statehouse on October 14, Trump’s border czar, Tom Homan, told state lawmakers and law enforcement officials the administration had carried out nearly 550,000 removals since the Republicans returned to office.
    Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
  • Your next best bet for getting a private Northern Lights show is heading to Maine.
    Lydia Price, Travel + Leisure, 17 Oct. 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 23 Oct. 2025.

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