1
as in shady
given to acting in secret and to concealing one's intentions
a furtive guy who always seems to be up to something, and usually that something is no-good
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in clandestine
undertaken or done so as to escape being observed or known by others
gave each other furtive glances as we watched our friend open the booby-trapped soda
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of furtive
His squirrelly, strained voice was well attuned to the furtive ambivalence of his stage presence.
—
Rolling Stone, 16 June 2025
The visual language is nimble, sometimes furtive and obscuring, and then classical and dramatic, recalling the photography of Robert Frank or Roy DeCarava.
—Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 14 June 2025
These kind furtive exchanges litter A Pale View of Hills, Kei Ishikawa’s overly careful adaptation of Kazuo Ishiguro’s debut novel of the same name.
—Lovia Gyarkye, HollywoodReporter, 18 May 2025
In this setting, the episode shifts between covert conversations, furtive looks, confrontations behind doors, and everything in between.
—Proma Khosla, IndieWire, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for furtive
Rolling Stone, 16 June 2025
The visual language is nimble, sometimes furtive and obscuring, and then classical and dramatic, recalling the photography of Robert Frank or Roy DeCarava.
—Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 14 June 2025
These kind furtive exchanges litter A Pale View of Hills, Kei Ishikawa’s overly careful adaptation of Kazuo Ishiguro’s debut novel of the same name.
—Lovia Gyarkye, HollywoodReporter, 18 May 2025
In this setting, the episode shifts between covert conversations, furtive looks, confrontations behind doors, and everything in between.
—Proma Khosla, IndieWire, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for furtive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for furtive
Adjective
-
The former Oakland Raiders linebacker was Arnold Schwarzenegger’s shady military pal in Predator (1987) before landing his own macho action vehicle in Action Jackson (1988).—
Skyler Trepel,
EW.com,
25 July 2025
-
According to the weather service, heat index values are calculated for shady conditions with light winds, but direct sun exposure can increase these values by up to 15 degrees.—
Mary Wasson,
Austin American Statesman,
24 July 2025
Adjective
-
Speaking with Robbie Fox on the My Mom's Basement podcast, the former WWE Champion shared the story of the clandestine meeting.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 July 2025
-
Even when targeting America’s enemies, not all are supportive of clandestine cyberattacks.—
Thomas Brewster,
Forbes.com,
15 July 2025
Adjective
-
One night, over dinner, his dad tossed out a few sly questions.—
Amanda Petrusich,
New Yorker,
14 July 2025
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Demonstrating a talent for working in fluent french peppered with a british accent, the actor delivers one of his most indelible acting turns as the sly, wry, and wise business mogul-turned- butler who finds new purpose in life working on the other side of the fence.—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
3 July 2025
Adjective
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In addition though, the use of cameras on stealthy motorbikes weaving in amongst the peloton have become a key source of live footage and provide exciting new images and perspectives.—
Tim Genske,
Forbes.com,
20 July 2025
-
Others make a stealthy entrance, taking us by surprise.—
Tracy Scott Forson,
Smithsonian Magazine,
18 July 2025
Adjective
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The bill would ban face coverings during public enforcement operations unless medically required or part of a covert investigation.—
Billal Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 July 2025
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The human touch is also crucial for ensuring accountability with agentic AI use, particularly for security considerations like accountability and distinguishing a genuine user from a covert threat.—
Imran Aftab,
Forbes.com,
17 July 2025
Adjective
-
Walmart’s got some sneaky good deals right now, and this one definitely caught our eye.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
18 July 2025
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Keep an eye out for sneaky eaters tempted to pick off the topping to eat like candy. Directions Prepare the Cake: Preheat oven to 350°F.—
Sheri Castle,
Southern Living,
18 July 2025
Adjective
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At the beginning of the season, host Alan Cumming picks the Traitors that will pit the Faithful against each other by murdering them one by one while trying to remain undercover.—
Armando Tinoco,
Deadline,
22 July 2025
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Ogles cited an undercover video obtained by conservative news website Townhall which appears to show a university employee discussing the school’s Office of Hope, Unity, and Belonging.—
Ruben Montoya,
The Tennessean,
19 July 2025
Adjective
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White runs crisp routes and is the kind of true, shifty slot guy that Denver doesn’t have in its top receiver mix.—
Parker Gabriel,
Denver Post,
8 July 2025
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Claire, who blows in and out of Kate’s life, turns up one night pleading for help and telling tales about an accident involving her shifty boyfriend Ryan (Edmund Donovan).—
Alison Willmore,
Vulture,
12 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Furtive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/furtive. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
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