surreptitious meaning

surreptitious as an adjective

1. marked by quiet and caution and secrecy; taking pains to avoid being observed
   • a furtive manner
   • a sneak attack
   • stealthy footsteps
   • a surreptitious glance at his watch

   Synonyms: furtive, sneak, sneaky, stealthy

   Similar: concealed

2. conducted with or marked by hidden aims or methods
   • 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

   Synonyms: clandestine, cloak-and-dagger, hole-and-corner, hugger-mugger, hush-hush, secret, undercover, underground

   Similar: covert

How to pronounce surreptitious

surreptitious is pronounced /ˌsɝəpˈtɪʃəs/ in American English. It has 4 syllables, with the stress on the third syllable.

Words that rhyme with surreptitious

• vicious
• ambitious
• suspicious
• delicious
• propitious
• superstitious
• judicious
• malicious
• seditious
• auspicious
• capricious
• factitious
• fictitious
• lubricious
• nutritious
• pernicious
• expeditious
• injudicious
• repetitious