as in clandestine
undertaken or done so as to escape being observed or known by others
a private investigator adept at taking surreptitious pictures of adulterous couples
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 first surreptitious shots of Robbie in costume, however, lit up the internet anew.
—
Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 24 Mar. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for surreptitious
Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 24 Mar. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for surreptitious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for surreptitious
Adjective
-
After paying private equity tycoon Jack McGinley $52 million in a clandestine off-market deal for the Georgian-style spread, which was designed by architect Don Nulty and built in 2009 for 9-1-1: Lone Star actor Rob Lowe, Levine and Prinsloo have put the place back on the market for $65 million.—
Wendy Bowman,
Robb Report,
10 July 2025
-
Built to listen for clandestine nuclear bomb blasts, the globe-spanning system detects low-frequency acoustic-gravity waves.—
Deni Ellis Béchard,
Scientific American,
9 July 2025
Adjective
-
And Aleesha spontaneously planted a kiss on Luke while celebrating their successful covert operation to get Karina’s laptop.—
Claire Franken,
TVLine,
10 July 2025
-
Further, nations set on developing nuclear weapons can be subject to covert operations or outright military attacks, which can slow them down considerably.—
Brendan Rascius
July 8,
Miami Herald,
8 July 2025
Adjective
-
Watch a sneak peek below, then read on for more: Go undercover and solve local mysteries with Christmas shop owner Emily Lane!—
Matt Webb Mitovich,
TVLine,
7 July 2025
-
The guy who was in charge of buying apparently used a fake persona; this was very undercover, this is all happening secretly.—
Peter Balonon-Rosen,
Vox,
4 July 2025
Adjective
-
As originally proposed, the CTA Super Loop running west from North and Clybourn would have merely grazed Lincoln Yards with an underground station at the far southwestern corner of the tract, North and Elston.—
F.K. Plous,
Chicago Tribune,
11 July 2025
-
There are several places to park for Scottsdale Canal Convergence: Scottsdale Waterfront underground parking garage, 7135 E. Camelback Road.—
Meredith G. White,
AZCentral.com,
10 July 2025
Adjective
-
But Bondi and Bongino had a contentious exchange the following day at the White House, according to a person familiar with the matter who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss a private conversation.—
Eric Tucker,
Los Angeles Times,
12 July 2025
-
Ahead of Carroll’s announcement by Dagenham & Redbridge on Saturday, the east London club confirmed they had been bought by a consortium of prominent Qatari private investors.—
Colin Millar,
New York Times,
12 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Surreptitious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surreptitious. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share