STEALTHY Synonyms: 100 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'stealthy' distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of stealthy are clandestine , covert , furtive , secret , surreptitious , and underhanded . While all these words mean "done without attracting observation," stealthy suggests taking pains to avoid being seen or heard especially in some misdoing. // the stealthy step of a burglar

Q: When is it sensible to use 'clandestine' instead of 'stealthy'?

The words clandestine and stealthy can be used in similar contexts, 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: When might 'covert' be a better fit than 'stealthy'?

The meanings of covert and stealthy largely overlap; however, covert stresses the fact of not being open or declared. // covert intelligence operations

Q: When could 'furtive' be used to replace 'stealthy'?

In some situations, the words furtive and stealthy are roughly equivalent. However, furtive implies a sly or cautious stealthiness. // lovers exchanging furtive glances

Q: When can 'secret' be used instead of 'stealthy'?

Although the words secret and stealthy have much in common, secret implies concealment on any grounds for any motive. // met at a secret location

Q: When is 'surreptitious' a more appropriate choice than 'stealthy'?

The synonyms surreptitious and stealthy are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 'underhanded' be a good substitute for 'stealthy'?

The words underhanded and stealthy are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, underhanded stresses fraud or deception. // an underhanded trick

stealthy

adjective

ˈstel-thē

Definition of stealthy

as in shady

given to acting in secret and to concealing one's intentions cats are among the stealthiest of stalkers

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in clandestine

undertaken or done so as to escape being observed or known by others constantly harassed the enemy with stealthy raids

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word stealthy distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of stealthy are clandestine, covert, furtive, secret, surreptitious, and underhanded. While all these words mean "done without attracting observation," stealthy suggests taking pains to avoid being seen or heard especially in some misdoing.

the stealthy step of a burglar

When is it sensible to use clandestine instead of stealthy?

The words clandestine and stealthy can be used in similar contexts, 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

When might covert be a better fit than stealthy?

The meanings of covert and stealthy largely overlap; however, covert stresses the fact of not being open or declared.

covert intelligence operations

When could furtive be used to replace stealthy?

In some situations, the words furtive and stealthy are roughly equivalent. However, furtive implies a sly or cautious stealthiness.

lovers exchanging furtive glances

When can secret be used instead of stealthy?

Although the words secret and stealthy have much in common, secret implies concealment on any grounds for any motive.

met at a secret location

When is surreptitious a more appropriate choice than stealthy?

The synonyms surreptitious and stealthy are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 underhanded be a good substitute for stealthy?

The words underhanded and stealthy are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 stealthy Three colorways have been revealed, including one with a stealthy reverse LCD. — Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 11 Aug. 2026 Communication can be real-time or asynchronous, often using stealthy methods like invisible text or metadata to evade human detection. — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026 Combined with the stealthy abilities of submarines, this will provide the new boats with a crucial ability to get inside China’s missile defenses, analysts say. — Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026 That’s when Staley boasted about his stealthy rectal ability. — Frank Landymore, Futurism, 6 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for stealthy

Recent Examples of Synonyms for stealthy

Adjective

But for now, CyberLeek is trying to monetize the GTA 6 leaks by asking for shady donations.

— Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 25 Aug. 2026
Others sat in shady spots on Montrose Avenue where the parade units combined with waiting community groups to end the parade at the festival grounds.

— Karie Angell Luc, Chicago Tribune, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of shady

Adjective

Or that the Apollo moon landing in 1969 was staged, the video shot on some clandestine movie set.

— Susan Page, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026
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

Definition of clandestine

Adjective

That said, the researchers see the 32% average higher spend as a clear outcome and an opportunity for retailers, whether the extra spending was driven by sneaky nudging or by AI helping consumers shop smarter.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 1 Sep. 2026
This recipe has a few sneaky tricks that Grandma loves to keep secret.

— Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of sneaky

Adjective

Over the last decade, covert tests have revealed vulnerabilities at security checkpoints, with one in 2015 showing a nearly 96% failure rate at screening fake explosives.

— Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026
The film imagines a colorful, family-friendly realm concealed just under the surface of video games themselves, populated by a covert guild of guardians tasked with keeping each title operating and preserving every player’s journey.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of covert

Adjective

And in 1963, Steinem gained national attention for going undercover at one of Hugh Hefner's nightclubs.

— Juliana Kim, NPR, 3 Sep. 2026
The rest of the officers at the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office who were part of setting this undercover operation up and didn’t listen owe the officer an apology.

— Sean Joseph OutKick, FOXNews.com, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of undercover

Adjective

Both shows make use of the parody defense, of course, that being the sly way for comedic artists to cash in on someone else’s intellectual property by insisting that their motives are honorably satirical.

— Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 24 Aug. 2026
But it was filled with quicksilver, roller-coaster displays of virtuosity and the sly humor Lutoslawski and fellow Polish composer and pianist Andrzej Panufnik brought to their Paganini variations in its original 1941 iteration.

— George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of sly

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

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“Stealthy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stealthy. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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