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

But for Record and Song, don’t count out Grammy bestie Bruno Mars and Blackpink’s Rosé sneaking in for some hardware either.

From Los Angeles Times

There’s this story from the American Revolution where a British spy is caught sneaking through American lines.

From Literature

One, called “The Gotaway,” showed a fictional migrant sneaking across America’s southern border.

From The Wall Street Journal

Owen almost jumped out of his skin at the sight of the big polar bear sneaking up on them against the white of the snow.

From Literature

Rather than risk a military confrontation, they forced American troops to play the role of the sleazy kidnapper sneaking in windows.

From Salon