1
as in shady
given to acting in secret and to concealing one's intentions
his opponent's sneaky campaign manager was clearly up to something
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in sneak
undertaken or done so as to escape being observed or known by others
a sneaky plan to replace the priceless painting with a copy
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 sneaky
Here's how to create a bit of St. Paddy's Day magic by fooling your kids into believing that a leprechaun stopped by for a sneaky little visit.
—
Amanda Rock, Parents, 5 Mar. 2025
This week’s schedule is loaded, with a half-dozen national TV looks and a few sneaky bangers on League Pass.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, The Athletic, 25 Feb. 2025
Timothy's partner-in-crime, Kenny, was revealed to be Ke Huy Quan in a sneaky cameo in Sunday's episode.
—Sydney Bucksbaum, EW.com, 24 Feb. 2025
But the show's newest season may have outdone itself, pulling off a particularly sneaky drop-in.
—Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY, 24 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sneaky
Amanda Rock, Parents, 5 Mar. 2025
This week’s schedule is loaded, with a half-dozen national TV looks and a few sneaky bangers on League Pass.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, The Athletic, 25 Feb. 2025
Timothy's partner-in-crime, Kenny, was revealed to be Ke Huy Quan in a sneaky cameo in Sunday's episode.
—Sydney Bucksbaum, EW.com, 24 Feb. 2025
But the show's newest season may have outdone itself, pulling off a particularly sneaky drop-in.
—Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY, 24 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sneaky
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sneaky
Adjective
-
To his supporters, Trump is taking justifiable action over past shady behavior.—
Niall Stanage,
The Hill,
14 Mar. 2025
-
Desperate to make clear his intense dissatisfaction with how Beck’s operation is being run, McCabe — aka Xavier Quinn, a very big (and slightly amnesic) bad from Reacher’s past — had Paulie fetch Beck’s son Richard, who’d already lost an ear to his father’s shady alliances.—
Matt Webb Mitovich,
TVLine,
13 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Saxon looks stunned, but his younger bro wears a sly smile.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
16 Mar. 2025
-
Nicholson's portrayal of a rebellious mental hospital inmate is a phenomenal combination of sly intelligence and impish braggadocio, best showcased during the scene where, thwarted in his attempt to watch the World Series on TV, McMurphy ad libs a commentary in front of a blank set.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
2 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The illicitly mined resources, which included valuable minerals and precious stones, were smuggled out of the country through clandestine networks, bypassing official regulatory controls for the benefit of consortium members at the expense of the state coffers.—
Antonio Maria Delgado,
Miami Herald,
11 Mar. 2025
-
For those hoping to wed immediately, whether to avoid family scrutiny or cover up an out-of-wedlock pregnancy, clandestine marriages performed by Anglican clergy offered a welcome alternative.—
Alexandra Cox,
Smithsonian Magazine,
10 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Keep clutter to a minimum, especially in a small bedroom, by incorporating stealthy storage.—
Elizabeth Stamp,
Architectural Digest,
10 Mar. 2025
-
Japan, outfoxed by the stealthy maneuverer in the White House, had to recede.—
Robert W. Merry,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Watch Captain America: Civil War on Disney+ Black Widow After the events of Captain America: Civil War, Natasha is on the run and reunites with Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh), her undercover younger sister who also trained in the Red Room.—
Jacqueline Weiss,
People.com,
8 Mar. 2025
-
The Sheriff’s Office said its Special Investigations Group conducted an undercover operation starting in January, and detectives purchased more than 90 grams of cocaine from Crews.—
Clifford Ward,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Despite numerous warnings, Cuomo ignored engineers’ concerns, went ahead with construction, and attempted to cover it up by secretly replacing the defective bolts in a covert night operation akin to military action.—
Ryan Silverstein,
New York Daily News,
16 Mar. 2025
-
Even a covert leader can inadvertently alter employee behavior, resulting in a skewed view of daily operations.—
Vibhas Ratanjee,
Forbes,
14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The commuter hall is reminiscent of that of the original station, complete with high ceilings, iron and glass entrances, and a replica of the original clock; it would be connected within the James A. Farley Post Office via an underground tunnel to Moynihan Train Hall.—
Francesca Aton,
ARTnews.com,
13 Mar. 2025
-
But where Sematary drew inspiration from underground rap, Ghost Mountain’s earliest obsessions were indie bands like Modest Mouse and the Unicorns, whose anxious songs and caterwauling vocals struck a chord somewhere between naive and degenerate.—
Meaghan Garvey,
Pitchfork,
13 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sneaky.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sneaky. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share