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
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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
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Recent Examples of sneaky
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Your jeans collection isn’t the only section of your wardrobe that can benefit from Rag & Bone’s Miramar offerings: The brand offers sneaky sweatpant shorts, too.
—
Averi Baudler, People.com, 4 Apr. 2025
That includes a starring role alongside Bruce Willis in the time-travel actioner Looper (2012), a sneaky voice cameo in Glass Onion (2022), and the lead in an episode of Johnson’s murder mystery series Poker Face (2023).
—Danny Horn, EW.com, 31 Mar. 2025
Tax season tips: Here's the sneaky way scammers are trying to steal your personal information
In 2025, people who generally make $67,000 or less qualify for free tax help through the IRS's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and Tax Counseling for the Elderly programs.
—Susan Tompor, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2025
With unmarked cases on the line, the people in charge of communicating their values had the opportunity to be very sneaky.
—Laura Bradley, Vulture, 18 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sneaky
Averi Baudler, People.com, 4 Apr. 2025
That includes a starring role alongside Bruce Willis in the time-travel actioner Looper (2012), a sneaky voice cameo in Glass Onion (2022), and the lead in an episode of Johnson’s murder mystery series Poker Face (2023).
—Danny Horn, EW.com, 31 Mar. 2025
Tax season tips: Here's the sneaky way scammers are trying to steal your personal information
In 2025, people who generally make $67,000 or less qualify for free tax help through the IRS's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and Tax Counseling for the Elderly programs.
—Susan Tompor, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2025
With unmarked cases on the line, the people in charge of communicating their values had the opportunity to be very sneaky.
—Laura Bradley, Vulture, 18 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sneaky
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sneaky
Adjective
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It’s implied that before going into construction, Levon had brought his military training into civilian life in some shady (though likely heroic) capacity or another — maybe even kidnap recovery.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
26 Mar. 2025
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During a recent conversation with legendary radio host Big Boy, the 26-year-old spoke about her haters and shady tension that led to this notion.—
Mya Abraham,
VIBE.com,
25 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Each plays a role in fooling their foe, who captures the turtle, while the deer, heeding the turtle’s good counsel, manages a sly escape.—
John Nemec,
The Conversation,
7 Apr. 2025
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Here are six real books coming out this week, with dust jackets that reflect their real contents: mysteries and mishaps, often told with a sly smirk.—
Colin Dwyer,
NPR,
1 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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After authorities responded with mass arrests, weavers formed clandestine committees and took secret oaths.—
John Cassidy,
New Yorker,
14 Apr. 2025
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Til Schweiger plays a sardonic whale-tourism boat captain (and former elite military operative, obviously) who gets roped into taking down a clandestine organization that’s building the perfect super-soldier through genetic experiments.—
Jordan Crucchiola,
Vulture,
4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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This was not the first time the U.S. Navy has sent a stealthy Zumwalt-class vessel to the west of the International Date Line.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Apr. 2025
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Leveraging Tools That Detect Abnormal Identity Behavior Despite excellent policies, organizations are still vulnerable to stealthy tactics without the right tech.—
Galit Lubetzky,
Forbes.com,
14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Former Attorney General Merrick Garland said in October that the Justice Department foiled the plot as the men bought the rifles from an undercover FBI employee.—
Krystal Nurse,
USA Today,
18 Apr. 2025
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Kasie discovers that the Poet used jeweler Gemma Wood (Michelle Lukes) as a go-between to broker deals with anonymous clients, so Torres goes undercover as the man himself since news of his death hasn't left NCIS HQ.—
Sara Netzley,
EW.com,
15 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Then Gungnir covert sniper rifle seems like a bargain, relatively speaking, at just $12,867.—
Davey Winder,
Forbes.com,
28 Mar. 2025
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In the letter, Grassley wrote that the records would help shine a light on the Nazi planning of the covert escape routes.—
Michael Dorgan,
FOXNews.com,
27 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The new north end zone stand won’t be finished for the 2025 football season, but the entire structure, including almost all the concrete work and any underground work, is expected to be completed by the start of the new season.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
18 Apr. 2025
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This week, Lawrence Burney steps in to talk about how a part of Baltimore lingo is entering the wider underground rap lexicon through artists from the Mid-Atlantic.—
Lawrence Burney,
Pitchfork,
18 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sneaky.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sneaky. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.
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