stealth

1 of 2

noun

ˈstelth 

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

The intricate labor … required courage and stealth.

—Sue M. Halpern

As we walked closer we began treading with exaggerated stealth until we came very close …

—Dorothy Dimsdale

A thief does his work in secret and by stealth.

—Harry Shaw

2

: 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

stealth

2 of 2

adjective

1

: intended not to attract attention : stealthy

a stealth campaign

… the company has operated in stealth mode until now.

—Steve Silberman

Her team seemed to communicate with a secret stealth language …

—E. L. Konigsburg

see also stealth entry 1 sense 2

2

medical : involving or caused by an asymptomatic or presymptomatic infectious individual : silent sense 6b

stealth spread/transmission of a contagious disease

Synonyms

Adjective

• backstairs
• behind-the-scenes
• clandestine
• covert
• furtive
• hole-and-corner
• hugger-mugger
• hush-hush
• private
• privy
• secret
• sneak
• sneaking
• sneaky
• stealthy
• surreptitious
• undercover
• underground
• underhand
• underhanded

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

Noun

In golden retrievers, a 'sneak attack' often refers to a playful behavior where the dog approaches a toy or person with exaggerated stealth, crouching low and moving slowly before pouncing. —David Faris, Newsweek, 3 Feb. 2025

Ubisoft started development on Mirage as an expansion to Valhalla before turning it into a full game, which paid homage to the series' roots by focusing more on social stealth and parkour. —Barbara A. Perry, Newsweek, 28 Jan. 2025

Adjective

Last December, online footage and images of what many believed to be China’s next-generation stealth fighter jet caused a huge stir in both China and the overseas PLA watching community, after the mysterious aircraft were seen flying in broad daylight over two Chinese cities. —Nectar Gan, CNN, 11 Feb. 2025

The doe-eyed pride of Maryland's Pets with Disabilities shelter uses stealth speed to score for Team Ruff against perennial rival Team Fluff. —Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY, 10 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English stelthe; akin to Old English stelan to steal

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3a

Adjective

1979, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing stealth

• by stealth

Kids Definition

stealth

1 of 2 noun

ˈstelth 

1

: 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