FURTIVE Synonyms: 100 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of furtive are clandestine , covert , secret , stealthy , surreptitious , and underhanded . While all these words mean "done without attracting observation," furtive implies a sly or cautious stealthiness. // lovers exchanging furtive glances

Q: When would 'clandestine' be a good substitute for 'furtive'?

In some situations, the words clandestine and furtive are roughly equivalent. However, 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 could 'covert' be used to replace 'furtive'?

The words covert and furtive can be used in similar contexts, but covert stresses the fact of not being open or declared. // covert intelligence operations

Q: When is 'secret' a more appropriate choice than 'furtive'?

While in some cases nearly identical to furtive , secret implies concealment on any grounds for any motive. // met at a secret location

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

While the synonyms stealthy and furtive are close in meaning, stealthy suggests taking pains to avoid being seen or heard especially in some misdoing. // the stealthy step of a burglar

Q: In what contexts can 'surreptitious' take the place of 'furtive'?

Although the words surreptitious and furtive have much in common, 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 might 'underhanded' be a better fit than 'furtive'?

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

furtive

adjective

ˈfər-tiv

Definition of furtive next

as in shady

given to acting in secret and to concealing one's intentions a furtive guy who always seems to be up to something, and usually that something is no-good

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 gave each other furtive glances as we watched our friend open the booby-trapped soda

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word furtive distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of furtive are clandestine, covert, secret, stealthy, surreptitious, and underhanded. While all these words mean "done without attracting observation," furtive implies a sly or cautious stealthiness.

lovers exchanging furtive glances

When would clandestine be a good substitute for furtive?

In some situations, the words clandestine and furtive are roughly equivalent. However, 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 could covert be used to replace furtive?

The words covert and furtive can be used in similar contexts, but covert stresses the fact of not being open or declared.

covert intelligence operations

When is secret a more appropriate choice than furtive?

While in some cases nearly identical to furtive, secret implies concealment on any grounds for any motive.

met at a secret location

When can stealthy be used instead of furtive?

While the synonyms stealthy and furtive are close in meaning, stealthy suggests taking pains to avoid being seen or heard especially in some misdoing.

the stealthy step of a burglar

In what contexts can surreptitious take the place of furtive?

Although the words surreptitious and furtive have much in common, 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 might underhanded be a better fit than furtive?

The words underhanded and furtive 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 furtive There’s always been something eerie about Seefeel’s music, in which dub and ambient flit like furtive ghosts. —

Pitchfork, 5 Dec. 2024 Songs of a Lost World, the band’s latest album, is a towering achievement, a perfect retrenchment in a year full of furtive attempts at similarly nostalgic measures, of artists rehashing past glories and hit songs liberally borrowing old licks. —

Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 3 Dec. 2024 Tracking helped to transform a small, furtive ape into a global force. —

Ben Goldfarb, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Oct. 2024 With his floppy auburn hair, David oozed charisma despite seeming furtive, somewhat ill-at-ease, and in a hurry. —

Mattha Busby, Rolling Stone, 14 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for furtive

Recent Examples of Synonyms for furtive

Adjective

More and more people are seeing it as a chill, wellness thing rather than something shady or taboo.

— Matt Rozo, The Mercury News, 4 Feb. 2025
If your yard is shady, for example, think ahead to find a plant that does not require full sun.

— Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 2 Feb. 2025