sneak 1 of 3

verb

ˈsnēk How to pronounce sneak (audio)
Definition of sneaknext
1
as in to lurk
to move about in a sly or secret manner the little kids sneak around upstairs when they're supposed to be in bed

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in to infiltrate
to introduce in a gradual, secret, or clever way sneak the topic into the conversation any way you can

Synonyms & Similar Words

sneak

2 of 3

adjective

as in clandestine
undertaken or done so as to escape being observed or known by others a sneak attack on the nation's capitol

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

sneak

3 of 3

noun

as in weasel
someone who acts in a sly and secret manner "Why, you little sneak," the mother exclaimed, "you made my birthday present right under my nose!"

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word sneak distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of sneak are lurk, skulk, and slink. While all these words mean "to behave so as to escape attention," sneak may add an implication of entering or leaving a place or evading a difficulty by furtive or underhanded methods.

sneaked out early

When could lurk be used to replace sneak?

The words lurk and sneak can be used in similar contexts, but lurk implies a lying in wait in a place of concealment and often suggests an evil intent.

suspicious men lurking in alleyways

When is skulk a more appropriate choice than sneak?

In some situations, the words skulk and sneak are roughly equivalent. However, skulk suggests more strongly cowardice or fear or sinister intent.

something skulking in the shadows

Where would slink be a reasonable alternative to sneak?

The meanings of slink and sneak largely overlap; however, slink implies moving stealthily often merely to escape attention.

slunk around the corner

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 sneak
Verb
The Last of Us actress expertly snuck in a quick jab at Fallon and Kidman’s awkward first date — which saw the duo play video games at the host’s apartment — while speaking about the hit HBO series during her Tonight Show interview on Tuesday night. —Emlyn Travis Published, EW.com, 21 May 2025 Haliburton tried to sneak a pair of brass knuckles to Paul, but Babyface Brunson was having none of it. —Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 21 May 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
Noun
Rising junior Jamar Buckner scored a TD and Williams punched in a score on a QB sneak. —Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 May 2025 Read the full Scorpio Daily Horoscope Sagittarius (November 22 - December 21) Considering a sneak attack? —Usa Today, USA Today, 11 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for sneak
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sneak
  1. lurk
  2. infiltrate
  3. clandestine
  4. weasel
  5. slip
  6. worm
  7. covert
  8. skunk
Verb
  • Some are found lurking in remote corners of the world, while others have been hiding right under our noses.
    — Real-Time news team, Miami Herald, 25 May 2025
  • Though research isn’t conclusive, studies suggest regularly consuming these sweeteners could mess with your microbiome, reducing your levels of supportive gut bugs while elevating the numbers of not-so-beneficial bacteria lurking therein.
    — Erica Sloan, SELF, 23 May 2025
Definition of lurk
Verb
  • That includes artificial intelligence, which has infiltrated the workplace, from job applications and interviews to even mentorship.
    — Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 May 2025
  • Also in the first film, Ethan infiltrates a secure vault at CIA headquarters in Langley, VA, which was supposed to be monitored by William Donloe (Rolf Saxon).
    — Todd Gilchrist, Variety, 22 May 2025
Definition of infiltrate
Adjective
  • Tired of using bulky night vision goggles for your clandestine nocturnal activities?
    — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 22 May 2025
  • The fiery combination of Mars trine Venus sparks things up in your clandestine 12th house of secrets and eighth house of intimate affairs.
    — Valerie Mesa, People.com, 22 May 2025
Definition of clandestine
Noun
  • In the heat of its bloodlust, the weasel had killed the entire flock.
    — Louise Erdrich, New Yorker, 25 May 2025
  • There’s narrative justice in lumping him with the weasel, the depraved, the criminal, the pedophile.
    — Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 25 Apr. 2025
Definition of weasel
Verb
  • Shares of Lockheed have slipped nearly 3% so far in 2025.
    — Brian Evans, CNBC, 21 May 2025
  • The latest approval ratings for Ishiba’s cabinet slipped to 27.4%, a record low, according to a poll by Japanese news agency Kyodo released on Sunday.
    — Chris Lau, CNN Money, 21 May 2025
Definition of slip
Verb
  • Some shower caps use materials that can allow a certain amount of water to worm its way through, which entirely defeats the purpose of wearing the cap in the first place.
    — BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 15 May 2025
  • The pair share a complicated relationship from the early episodes of Season 1, where Sauron, disguised as a helpless traveler, wormed his way into her heart and good graces.
    — Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 8 May 2025
Definition of worm
Adjective
  • Striking Iran’s nuclear program would likely set off a much larger conflict in which Israel and the United States hunt for covert Iranian nuclear sites and Tehran retaliates in the Middle East and beyond.
    — Richard Nephew, Foreign Affairs, 26 May 2025
  • Mon Mothma's speech Mon Mothma's covert support of the Rebels becomes public following the devastating events of the Ghorman Massacre.
    — Nick Romano, EW.com, 25 May 2025
Definition of covert
Noun
  • That included building a short block wall to separate the deck from the yard — and prevent skunks, possums and other critters from creeping under the deck — build an open fence to surround the property, and add a swale to retain rainwater.
    — Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Apr. 2025
  • Then other critters came to feast on the skunk’s leftovers, the incredible video shows.
    — Brooke Baitinger, Idaho Statesman, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of skunk

Browse Nearby Words

snazzy
sneak
sneaked
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sneak.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sneak. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on sneak

Nglish: Translation of sneak for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Using Bullet Points ( • )

'Bring' vs. 'Take'

Is it 'used to' or 'use to'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

How 'Namaste' Entered The English Language

10 Hella Good U.S. Regionalisms

The Clinical History of 'Moron,' 'Idiot,' and 'Imbecile'

And So It Begins: 9 Words for Beginnings
See More

Popular

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

How 'Namaste' Entered The English Language
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
couple-laugh-cafe
Quiz: Foreign Phrases You Should Know Check out your bona fides and avoid any faux pas.
See All