SURREPTITIOUS Synonyms: 52 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

surreptitious

adjective

ˌsər-əp-ˈti-shəs

Definition of surreptitious

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

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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 Related Stories Known to be a rebellious royal and a surreptitious anti-fascist, Maria José then moved to Portugal and soon left her husband. — Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 17 June 2026 TiVo is often chastised for being surreptitious about its data collection practices and its failure to provide a clear privacy policy. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 May 2026 The upside of the bar's surreptitious locale is sometimes not having to share it with a soul; the downside is the potential lack of a pool partner, so bring your own. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Apr. 2026 Over the following 12 days, investigators determined that Lulinski had used his cell phone on multiple occasions to take inappropriate and surreptitious photos or videos of minors during normal school activities. — Cbs Atlanta Digital Team, CBS News, 16 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for surreptitious

Recent Examples of Synonyms for surreptitious

Adjective

The clandestine manner in which LG monitors were installing ad-pushing software onto third-party devices, however, remains seriously concerning.

— Scharon Harding, ArsTechnica, 24 Aug. 2026
The clandestine transits have changed the game for the Middle Eastern oil industry.

— David Goldman, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of clandestine

Adjective

Psyops can be overt or covert, but they’re designed with a clear objective, said Jan Goldman, a professor of intelligence and security studies at The Citadel who has also worked on psyops.

— Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026
In a recent presentation, OpenAI researchers described how AI agents used a covert message board to plan their next moves.

— Alex Heath, Time, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of covert

Adjective

The United States conducted its first-ever underground nuclear test, dubbed the Rainier test, at the Nevada Test Site.

— USA Today, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026
Premee Mohamed, Wickhills (Tor Books, September 8) A fantastical spy thriller set on the streets and underground passages of a magical city?

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of underground

Adjective

Some are worried about the legal implications of handling such large quantities of previously private game builds as well.

— Kyle Orland, ArsTechnica, 30 Aug. 2026
In the village of Bilbasovka in eastern Ukraine, a 13-year-old child and an adult died after Russian troops dropped bombs on private houses Sunday, according to local official Vadim Lyakh.

— ABC News, ABC News, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of private

Adjective

Contributor Yelena Alpert has a sneaking suspicion that these Frette slippers will last a lifetime, attributing her hypothesis to the shoe’s superior quality.

— Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 10 Mar. 2026
The package includes free breakfast for your plus-one (no more sneaking snacks away from the conference), a signature drink each night (perfect for unwinding after your workday ends), and 1,000 bonus IHG One Rewards points.

— Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 23 Apr. 2025

Definition of sneaking

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“Surreptitious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surreptitious. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of surreptitious

adjective

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2014 Word of the Year: Culture

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