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 next

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

Examples 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 Beneath their soft fur and playful demeanor hides one of nature’s most effective predators—stealthy, adaptable and relentless. —

Scott Travers, Forbes, 30 Nov. 2024 This stealthy, air-to-ground cruise missile has a range of 230 miles for its original variant and 575 miles for its extended range variant. —

Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 27 Nov. 2024 That’s because subs are stealthy and hard to detect. —

Brad Lendon, CNN, 22 Nov. 2024 As Big Alice approaches Snowpiercer, Layton plans to be stealthy and take the Admiral by surprise. —

Rafael Motamayor, Vulture, 11 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for stealthy

Recent Examples of Synonyms for stealthy

Adjective

Image On a recent muggy Saturday morning, a few dozen people — from restless children and lanky teenagers to men and women in their 50s and 60s — flocked to the shady overpass.

María Magdalena Arréllaga, New York Times, 31 Dec. 2024
Then there’s Ferrer’s arm surfacing in the last episode, which has to be going somewhere, and now Deb’s entanglement with a shady new character.

Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 27 Dec. 2024