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
  • For every regime change at the hands of Americans that went well—think Adolf Hitler’s exit from Germany and Benito Mussolini from Italy—there are multitudes that went off the rails: six overt attempts during the Cold War and another 64 in covert operations.
    Philip Elliott, Time, 19 June 2025
  • The Whyte Python World Tour by Travis Kennedy The laughs are as big as the mullets in this rollicking story about a hugely successful hair-metal band that’s really a cover for a covert operation in Cold War-era Eastern Europe.
    Andrea Lavinthal, People.com, 18 June 2025
Adjective
  • Sarli did, however, recently post about the ordeal on TikTok, so her viral video and media attention might expose their undercover rendezvous to the bride and groom.
    Ashlyn Robinette, People.com, 18 June 2025
  • But improv actors going deep undercover felt like a peanut butter and chocolate combination.
    Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 13 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
  • Additionally, the outdoor pool area felt like its own tropical oasis with the large palm trees, private fencing, oversized lounge chairs and an outdoor dining table on the deck.
    Brande Victorian, Essence, 18 June 2025
  • And while transgender adults now have more autonomy to make private decisions for themselves, the Skrmetti decision will no doubt encourage some states to try to ban gender-affirming care for anyone altogether.
    Martin Padgett, Time, 18 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Surreptitious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surreptitious. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.

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