Synonyms of clandestine

clandestine

adjective

klan-ˈde-stən 

as in undercover

undertaken or done so as to escape being observed or known by others

I took a clandestine peek at the price tag on the diamond necklace

Synonyms & Similar Words

• undercover
• covert
• underground
• sneak
• private
• surreptitious
• sneaking
• stealth
• secret
• furtive
• stealthy
• sneaky
• hole-and-corner
• underhanded
• behind-the-scenes
• underhand
• privy
• undisclosed
• backstairs
• hush-hush
• off-the-books
• confidential
• closed-door
• hugger-mugger
• hidden
• off-the-record
• classified
• restricted
• subterranean
• secreted
• concealed
• back-channel
• top secret
• unexposed
• unadvertised

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• public
• overt
• open
• avowed
• acknowledged
• straightforward
• unclassified
• unrestricted
• obvious
• unconcealed
• evident
• undisguised
• clear
• plain
• manifest
• aboveboard
• patent

Synonym Chooser

How is the word clandestine distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of clandestine are covert, furtive, secret, stealthy, surreptitious, and underhanded. While all these words mean "done without attracting observation," 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 is it sensible to use covert instead of clandestine?

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

covert intelligence operations

When might furtive be a better fit than clandestine?

While the synonyms furtive and clandestine are close in meaning, furtive implies a sly or cautious stealthiness.

lovers exchanging furtive glances

Where would secret be a reasonable alternative to clandestine?

In some situations, the words secret and clandestine are roughly equivalent. However, secret implies concealment on any grounds for any motive.

met at a secret location

When can stealthy be used instead of clandestine?

Although the words stealthy and clandestine have much in common, stealthy suggests taking pains to avoid being seen or heard especially in some misdoing.

the stealthy step of a burglar

When is surreptitious a more appropriate choice than clandestine?

The meanings of surreptitious and clandestine largely overlap; however, 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 could underhanded be used to replace clandestine?

While in some cases nearly identical to clandestine, underhanded stresses fraud or deception.

an underhanded trick

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of clandestine

Khadija underwent a clandestine cesarean in a makeshift clinic only for her baby to die hours later. —Charlie Campbell, Time, 4 Sep. 2025

The position of chief judge, currently held by Timothy Evans, will instead be determined by an election held behind closed doors during a clandestine voting process in which fellow judges cast their secret ballots. —Paul Vallas, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2025

The second North Korean nuclear crisis broke out in October 2002, when the United States accused Pyongyang of operating a clandestine uranium-enrichment program that violated the 1994 Agreed Framework. —Shuxian Luo, Foreign Affairs, 21 Aug. 2025

But local leaders had no doubt about the perpetrators, even though the state’s campaign had previously been carried out through public exhortations and directives, not clandestine repaintings. —Ryan Gillespie, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 Aug. 2025

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