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 The surreptitious approach consists of asking AI to suggest ways to bypass the myriad restrictions. — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026 New York is banning smart glasses in courts across the state, pointing to the threat of surreptitious video recordings. — Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 9 July 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for surreptitious

Recent Examples of Synonyms for surreptitious

Adjective

Bridgers’ tour restricts phones, so the reader’s account had to stand in for the clandestine photo that might otherwise have accompanied the sighting.

— Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 6 Oct. 2026
The Soviet Union operated an extensive clandestine biological weapons program despite being a party to the Biological Weapons Convention.

— Krutika Kuppalli, STAT, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of clandestine

Adjective

This year has seen several notable incidents involving both overt and covert threats to undersea infrastructure, including Iranian efforts to impose fees on operators of undersea cables running through the contested Strait of Hormuz.

— Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 14 Oct. 2026
From hippies to covert racists, psychedelics to cult-like workshop leaders, this is a world where any difference is still scrutinized and looked down on.

— Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of covert

Adjective

The show revolved around Crockett and Tubbs, two undercover detectives infiltrating South Florida’s criminal underworld.

— Matt Grobar, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2026
At its center is a youngish man named Bob Arctor, an undercover cop who starts using drugs in order to infiltrate a house full of addicts in Southern California.

— Hilton Als, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of undercover

Adjective

Deep underground, iron-rich rocks could hold the key to producing hydrogen at a fraction of the cost of conventional fuels.

— Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 18 Oct. 2026
Additionally, the estate includes elevator service to all three floors, 25-yard lap pool, outdoor kitchen, veranda with stone fireplace and underground seven-car garage with Tesla charging station.

— Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado, Sacbee.com, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of underground

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 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of surreptitious

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Synonyms of surreptitious

adjective

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2014 Word of the Year: Culture

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