sneak
to go in a stealthy or furtive manner; slink; skulk.
to act in a furtive or underhand way.
British Informal. to tattle; inform.
to move, put, pass, etc., in a stealthy or furtive manner: He sneaked the gun into his pocket.
to do, take, or enjoy hurriedly or surreptitiously: to sneak a cigarette.
a sneaking, underhand, or contemptible person.
Informal. a stealthy or furtive departure.
British Informal. tattletale; informer.
Informal. a sneak preview.
Cards. the lead of a singleton in a suit other than the trump suit, as in whist.
Origin of sneak
1synonym study For sneak
usage note For sneak
Other words for sneak
Words Nearby sneak
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use sneak in a sentence
Quarterback Jared Goff threw an interception but had a first-half rushing touchdown on a quarterback sneak and threw a second-half touchdown pass to wide receiver Cooper Kupp.
Cam Newton’s struggles continue as Patriots’ postseason hopes plummet with loss to Rams | Mark Maske | December 11, 2020 | Washington PostThe Rams converted twice on fourth and one, once on a quarterback sneak by Goff and again when the Patriots jumped offside.
Cam Newton’s struggles continue as Patriots’ postseason hopes plummet with loss to Rams | Mark Maske | December 11, 2020 | Washington PostScheduled to make her official debut on the small screen in early 2021, fans have already gotten a sneak peek into what we can expect when season two of TheCW series airs.
Now, Adobe has released a sneak peak of its upcoming Sky Replacement tool, which uses AI to analyze a scene and automatically swap out underwhelming areas of sky.
Photoshop will soon use AI to add dramatic skies to your boring photos | Stan Horaczek | September 23, 2020 | Popular-ScienceWill Smith shared a sneak peek of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air cast reunion Thursday that brought the fictional Banks family back to its California home after 30 years.
‘Full Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air’ Cast Reunites To Celebrate The Show’s 30th Anniversary | Hope Wright | September 11, 2020 | Essence.com
Rick suggests a Woodbury-esque sneak attack on the hospital and lays out a meticulous strategy relying heavily on timing and luck.
The Walking Dead’s ‘Crossed’: The Stage Is Now Set for a Bloody, Deadly Midseason Finale | Melissa Leon | November 24, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST“It was a magical feeling, leaving daylight to sneak into a theater,” he says wistfully.
While attempting to pull a bin of canned food toward him, Bob is momentarily pulled underwater by a walker sneak-attack.
The Walking Dead’s Most Gruesome Scene Yet: ‘A Man’s Gotta Eat’ | Melissa Leon | October 20, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTCheck out a sneak peek of one of the most anticipated films of the year.
Exclusive: Watch a Clip From ‘Birdman,’ Featuring an Award-Worthy Turn by Michael Keaton | Marlow Stern | October 1, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThe easily concealable and muted weapon would allow him to sneak up on his victims and get away afterward to kill again.
The Loser Who Wanted to Be the ISIS Agent Next Door | Michael Daly | September 18, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThat young cove right opposite to you is one of the best-known sneak-thieves in the city.
The Double Four | E. Phillips OppenheimI was so angry when I saw another week sneak round and another bill appear, that I left it unopened on my bureau for a week.
Ways of War and Peace | Delia AustrianSo soon as this shelling stops I must sneak off to try and put our cemeteries straight.
Letters of Lt.-Col. George Brenton Laurie | George Brenton LaurieHe even ventured to reproach his friend: 'I shan't sneak of you, of course, he said, 'but you know you did it!'
The Talking Horse | F. AnsteyWe would have to sneak in order to keep the younger children from begging to be taken along.
The Red Cow and Her Friends | Peter McArthur
British Dictionary definitions for sneak
/ (sniːk) /
(intr; often foll by along, off, in, etc) to move furtively
(intr) to behave in a cowardly or underhand manner
(tr) to bring, take, or put stealthily
(intr) informal, mainly British to tell tales (esp in schools)
(tr) informal to steal
(intr; foll by off, out, away, etc) informal to leave unobtrusively
a person who acts in an underhand or cowardly manner, esp as an informer
a stealthy act or movement
(as modifier): a sneak attack
British informal an unobtrusive departure
Origin of sneak
1Derived forms of sneak
- sneaky, adjective
- sneakily, adverb
- sneakiness, noun
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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