sneaking

American  

[snee-king] / ˈsni kɪŋ /

adjective

1. acting in a furtive or underhand way.

2. deceitfully underhand, as actions; contemptible.

3. secret; not generally avowed, as a feeling, notion, suspicion, etc.

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sneaking British  

/ ˈsniːkɪŋ /

adjective

1. acting in a furtive or cowardly way

2. secret

   a sneaking desire to marry a millionaire

3. slight but nagging (esp in the phrase a sneaking suspicion )

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Other Word Forms

• sneakingly adverb
• sneakingness noun
• unsneaking adjective

Etymology

Origin of sneaking

First recorded in 1575–85; sneak + -ing ²

Example Sentences

Independent crossbench peer and entrepreneur Lord Londesborough said his email inbox was "awash with anger and indignation" from businesses over the government "sneaking in this clause on uncapped compensation".

From BBC

I passed by all the time — sneaking a Chunky bar at the corner liquor store, grabbing an ice cream cone from Baskin-Robbins.

From Los Angeles Times

No wonder they are closing up shop and sneaking out of town.

From Salon

He was furious at me for sneaking out in the middle of the night.

From Literature

Fink said with a laugh that equestrians have been sneaking onto the polo field for weeks, even though the park was closed.

From Los Angeles Times