sneak 1 of 3

1
as in to lurk
to move about in a sly or secret manner the little kids sneak around upstairs when they're supposed to be in bed

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in to infiltrate
to introduce in a gradual, secret, or clever way sneak the topic into the conversation any way you can

Synonyms & Similar Words

sneak

2 of 3

adjective

sneak

3 of 3

noun

as in weasel
someone who acts in a sly and secret manner "Why, you little sneak," the mother exclaimed, "you made my birthday present right under my nose!"

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How is the word sneak distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of sneak are lurk, skulk, and slink. While all these words mean "to behave so as to escape attention," sneak may add an implication of entering or leaving a place or evading a difficulty by furtive or underhanded methods.

sneaked out early

When could lurk be used to replace sneak?

The words lurk and sneak can be used in similar contexts, but lurk implies a lying in wait in a place of concealment and often suggests an evil intent.

suspicious men lurking in alleyways

When is skulk a more appropriate choice than sneak?

In some situations, the words skulk and sneak are roughly equivalent. However, skulk suggests more strongly cowardice or fear or sinister intent.

something skulking in the shadows

Where would slink be a reasonable alternative to sneak?

The meanings of slink and sneak largely overlap; however, slink implies moving stealthily often merely to escape attention.

slunk around the corner

Example 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 sneak
Verb
In 2020, the urban explorer Andy Bracco sneaked onto the island and shared his experience in a series of videos on his YouTube channel. Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 July 2025 In the next at-bat, Isaac Collins also found a hole in the infield, sneaking another ground-ball single between Betts and Rojas on the left side of the infield to give Milwaukee a 2-1 lead. Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2025
Adjective
Get Ready: Katy Perry Has Released a Sneak Peek of Her New Song And the internet has receipts. Mehera Bonner, Marie Claire, 15 Mar. 2017
Noun
Nintendo Switch 2 hits the shelves Nintendo’s first new console in 8 years is finally in stores, but before the first units were sold, Fox News got a sneak peak at some of the new games developed for the Switch 2. Pilar Arias, FOXNews.com, 18 June 2025 Some in the stadium got a sneak peak at Caglianone’s ability, such as Isabella Duckworth from Louisburg, who made the trip to St. Louis to see Caglianone’s first series on the road. Maddie Hartley, Kansas City Star, 11 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for sneak
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sneak
Verb
  • This potential baby planet lurks at the base of one of the disk's spiral arms.
    Robert Lea, Space.com, 21 July 2025
  • The threat of zebra mussels has always lurked over Colorado’s borders.
    Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 20 July 2025
Verb
  • These attacks allowed the actor to deploy backdoor accounts, spread ransomware and infiltrate sensitive systems across the network.
    Jonathan Fischbein, Forbes.com, 22 July 2025
  • Perry also made headlines after filing for a restraining order against a man who allegedly infiltrated her property in Santa Barbara in June.
    Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 19 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
Noun
  • Skunks are mammals that are more like weasels than rodents.
    Arricca Elin SanSone, Southern Living, 22 June 2025
  • But some, including pigeons, weasels, skunks, coyotes and most rodents, are excluded from such rules.
    Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 15 May 2025
Verb
  • The elevated mini dress is a chill, one-and-done staple for the summer, with more than one way to go about it to fit it into your own personal style lexicon: think elegant shift dresses, easy linens, lacy slips, and more sporty numbers.
    Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 20 July 2025
  • Imagined herself back in her closet, throwing the silky dress over her head, her arms slipping into the sleeves, the skirt falling over her like water.
    Mona Awad, New Yorker, 20 July 2025
Verb
  • To my great embarrassment, the Velvet Sundown’s songs even managed to worm their way into my brain.
    Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 4 July 2025
  • The flea larvae, which look like tiny maggots, worm their way into the carpet or mattress, feeding on the flea dirt that their parents left behind, says Benson.
    Arricca Elin SanSone, Southern Living, 31 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • 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
  • 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
Noun
  • The animals included 12 bats, nine racoons, eight skunks, two groundhogs, a bobcat, three cats and a fox, data shows.
    Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 14 July 2025
  • People and domestic animals should always avoid physical contact with wild animals such as raccoons, bats, foxes, skunks, otters, bobcats, coyotes, which carry a higher risk of human exposure and a need for rabies post-exposure treatment.
    Orlando Sentinel Staff, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sneak.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sneak. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

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