What is the meaning of surreptitious?

adjective

  • Marked by quiet and caution and secrecy; taking pains to avoid being observed.
    • usage: "a furtive manner"; "a sneak attack"; "stealthy footsteps"; "a surreptitious glance at his watch"
  • Conducted with or marked by hidden aims or methods.
    • usage: "clandestine intelligence operations"; "cloak-and-dagger activities behind enemy lines"; "hole-and-corner intrigue"; "secret missions"; "a secret agent"; "secret sales of arms"; "surreptitious mobilization of troops"; "an undercover investigation"; "underground resistance"
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APAWordNet. (2010). surreptitious. Retrieved September 20, 2026, from http://smartdefine.org/surreptitious/definitions/1184857
ChicagoWordNet. 2010. "surreptitious" http://smartdefine.org/surreptitious/definitions/1184857 (accessed September 20, 2026).
HarvardWordNet 2010, surreptitious, Smart Define, viewed 20 September, 2026, <http://smartdefine.org/surreptitious/definitions/1184857>.
MLAWordNet. "surreptitious" 23 October 2010. Web. 20 September 2026. <http://smartdefine.org/surreptitious/definitions/1184857>
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