Surreptitious

/ˌsɜːrəpˈtɪʃəs/

Meaning & Definition

adjective

Kept secret, especially because it would not be approved of.

Their surreptitious meetings raised suspicions among their colleagues.

Conducted with secrecy or stealth.

He took a surreptitious glance at the documents on her desk.

Done or acting in a way that is intended to escape notice.

The surreptitious surveillance of the suspects was crucial to the investigation.

Late Latin 'surreptitius', from 'surrept-', past participle of 'surripere' meaning to seize.

surreptitious glance

a secretive or stealthy look at something or someone.

surreptitious behavior

conduct that is secretive or hidden to avoid detection.

surreptitious acquisition

obtaining something in a hidden or secretive manner.

stealth

the act of moving, proceeding, or acting in a covert way.

covert

not openly shown or revealed; secret.

clandestine

characterized by, done in, or executed with secrecy or concealment.

sneaky

He pulled off the sneaky plan without anyone noticing.

under the radar

They made under-the-radar changes to the project.