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View synonyms for clandestine

clandestine

[ klan-des-tin ]

adjective

  1. characterized by, done in, or executed with secrecy or concealment, especially for purposes of subversion or deception; private or surreptitious:

    Their clandestine meetings went undiscovered for two years.

    Synonyms: illicit, confidential, underhand, hidden



clandestine

/ klænˈdɛstɪn /

adjective

  1. secret and concealed, often for illicit reasons; furtive
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


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Derived Forms

  • clanˈdestinely, adverb
  • clanˈdestineness, noun
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Other Words From

  • clan·destine·ly adverb
  • clan·destine·ness clandes·tini·ty noun
  • unclan·destine·ly adverb
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Word History and Origins

Origin of clandestine1

First recorded in 1560–70; from Latin clandestīnus, from clamde, clande (unrecorded) (variant of clam “secretly” + -de, adverb particle) + -stīnus (probably after intestīnus “internal”; intestine )
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Word History and Origins

Origin of clandestine1

C16: from Latin clandestīnus, from clam secretly; related to Latin celāre to hide
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Example Sentences

That turns these well-known characters in neuroscience into double agents, acting obviously as neurotransmitters, but also as clandestine masters of epigenetics.

Instead, many travel abroad, search for a clandestine provider inside Poland, or continue their pregnancy.

Instead, this Jones adventure takes place in a clandestine video game that was released anonymously, then copied from one audio cassette to another.

Leaks have exposed some of the agency’s most clandestine intelligence-gathering operations.

I’m outing myself now, obviously, but at the time, our meal felt clandestine and certainly not safe for Instagram.

From Eater

Never mind the huge buildup of clandestine operatives and secret warriors since 9/11.

Undeterred by the snub in November, and denied a visa to Italy, Agca made plans for clandestine travel to Vatican City.

People there remember rather fondly the clandestine airdrops by the CIA during the 1980s.

“Such a clandestine and pathological way of drinking increases the chances of becoming an alcoholic exponentially,” says Alireza.

Above them hang portraits of the original clandestine laborers.

Sexual immorality is, by its very nature, a clandestine vice.

The actual case from which this fiction story was borrowed involved a man, a wife, and the wife's clandestine violinist lover.

Is not this consideration of itself sufficient to decide me against undertaking any clandestine correspondence?

The Queen saw that her help would really be wanted, and war, even clandestine war, required a great deal of money.

If there occurred the least clandestine proceeding, it was only when the danger was not felt—when not the least risk appeared.

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