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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.

Paramount’s brass hired the Gibson Dunn law firm to investigate Shell’s surreptitious dealings with Cipriani.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 8, 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

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

She alleges the Mail tapped her landlines and placed "surreptitious mics on my home windows" in an effort to get stories.

From BBC • Jan. 22, 2026

Fancying that the other man had noticed his surreptitious glance, he hastened once more into speech.

From "Murder on the Orient Express" by Agatha Christie