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Showing results for surreptitious. Search instead for subreptit.
Definitions

surreptitious

[sur-uhp-tish-uhs] / ˌsɜr əpˈtɪʃ əs /
ADJECTIVE
sneaky, secret
Synonyms
STRONGEST
clandestine covert furtive hush-hush unauthorized
WEAK
fraudulent hidden hole-and-corner on the Q.T. on the sly private skulking slinking sly sneaking stealthy sub-rosa under wraps under-the-table undercover underhand veiled
Antonyms
STRONGEST
aboveboard forthright honest open public truthful
WEAK
authorized

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The move comes as Shell faces scrutiny after his Paramount bosses hired a law firm to investigate his surreptitious dealings with Cipriani, a self-styled “fixer.”

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 16, 2026

Just before 7 a.m., a Benin intelligence operative took surreptitious video of five rebel armored vehicles and four pickups leaving QRF headquarters, hazard lights flashing.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 12, 2026

A surreptitious change of bank details does not bode well for your mother’s estate planning.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 13, 2026

In a written statement, she claimed "The Mail's Unlawful Acts against me involve landline tapping my phones and recording my live telephone conversations, placing surreptitious mics on my home windows."

From Barron's • Jan. 22, 2026

Knowing that punishing Louie would only provoke his defiance, Louise took a surreptitious route toward reforming him.

From "Unbroken" by Laura Hillenbrand