1
: a cautious, unobtrusive, and secretive way of moving or proceeding intended to avoid detection
Makos, among the fastest of sharks, chase down their prey. Slower species … rely on stealth and explosive power.—
Steve Kemper
Steve KemperThe intricate labor … required courage and stealth.—Sue M. Halpern
Sue M. HalpernAs we walked closer we began treading with exaggerated stealth until we came very close …—Dorothy Dimsdale
Dorothy DimsdaleA thief does his work in secret and by stealth.—Harry Shaw
Harry Shaw2
: an aircraft-design characteristic consisting of oblique angular construction and avoidance of vertical surfaces that is intended to produce a very weak radar return
—usually used before another noun
a stealth bomber/fighter
stealth aircraft
stealth technology
3
a
archaic
: theft
b
obsolete
: something stolen
1
: intended not to attract attention : stealthy
a stealth campaign
… the company has operated in stealth mode until now.—Steve Silberman
Steve SilbermanHer team seemed to communicate with a secret stealth language …—E. L. Konigsburg
see also stealth entry 1 sense 2
E. L. Konigsburg2
medical
: involving or caused by an asymptomatic or presymptomatic infectious individual : silent sense 6b
stealth spread/transmission of a contagious disease
Synonyms
Examples of stealth in a Sentence
Noun
The fox uses stealth and cunning to hunt its prey.
Adjective
the SWAT team carried out a stealth raid on the house, which was believed to be harboring a terrorist cell
Recent Examples on the Web
Judy Berman, TIME, 10 Oct. 2024
And the stealth with which the crew operates in plain sight is less for the purpose of secrecy but more to avoid altering the environment.
—Daniel D'addario, Variety, 4 Oct. 2024
Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
The queen of stealth wealth dressing wore a white collared shirt and maroon maxi skirt underneath the trench, and draped effortlessly over her shoulders was an untied, long-sleeve cream sweater.
—Rachel Raposas, People.com, 1 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for stealth 
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Noun
Through her stealth and scheming and, yes, killing, Rhiannon develops something like self-esteem.
—Judy Berman, TIME, 10 Oct. 2024
And the stealth with which the crew operates in plain sight is less for the purpose of secrecy but more to avoid altering the environment.
—Daniel D'addario, Variety, 4 Oct. 2024
Adjective
The Su-57 is the first Russian military aircraft in service designed with stealth technology.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
The queen of stealth wealth dressing wore a white collared shirt and maroon maxi skirt underneath the trench, and draped effortlessly over her shoulders was an untied, long-sleeve cream sweater.
—Rachel Raposas, People.com, 1 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for stealth
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Dictionary Entries Near stealth
Cite this Entry
“Stealth.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stealth. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
stealth
1 of 2 noun1
: sly or secret action
2
: a design style intended to make an aircraft difficult to detect by radar
stealth
2 of 2 adjective
: intended not to attract attention : stealthy sense 2
a stealth campaign
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