sneaking

[ snee-king ]

/ ˈsni kɪŋ /

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See synonyms for sneaking on Thesaurus.com

adjective

acting in a furtive or underhand way.

deceitfully underhand, as actions; contemptible.

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

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SHALL WE PLAY A "SHALL" VS. "SHOULD" CHALLENGE?

Should you take this quiz on “shall” versus “should”? It should prove to be a quick challenge!

Question 1 of 6

Which form is used to state an obligation or duty someone has?

shall

should

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Origin of sneaking

First recorded in 1575–85; sneak + -ing²

OTHER WORDS FROM sneaking

sneak·ing·ly, adverbsneak·ing·ness, nounun·sneak·ing, adjective

Words nearby sneaking

sneak, sneaker, sneakerhead, sneakernet, sneakers, sneaking, sneak preview, sneak thief, sneaky, sneaky pete, sneck

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use sneaking in a sentence

Early testing around the office shows the legs and torso sneaking, bouncing, shuffling and strutting through Imagineering.
Disney Imagineering’s Project Kiwi is a free-walking robot that will make you believe in Groot|Matthew Panzarino|April 23, 2021|TechCrunch
There’s a lot of joy that I see in their interviews together, about their story, how they met, the sneaking around… it almost becomes like a “Great Muppet Caper.”
For Heather Matarazzo, ‘Equal’ is still a cause worth fighting for|John Paul King|October 20, 2020|Washington Blade
I soon saw why and could not resist sneaking a few candid shots.
Patted Down by India’s Hugging Saint|Daniel Genis|July 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In particular, Skylar had been caught frequently sneaking out of her first-floor bedroom window at night.
West Virginia Heathers: Was Skylar Neese Murdered by Her Best Friends?|Caroline Linton|December 19, 2013|DAILY BEAST

And I have a sneaking suspicion that you're not being all that helpful with health care implementation.
A U.S. Thanksgiving—Family Style: Fractious but Friendly|Joshua DuBois|November 24, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Instead, may we suggest pulling a Ferris Bueller and sneaking out for a day on the town?
How to Play Hooky at the G20 Summit: A Guide to St. Petersburg|Nina Strochlic|September 4, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Does anyone else feel Pippa Middleton's profile quietly sneaking back up again?
Pippa Told to Stop Hogging the Royal Limelight|Tom Sykes|July 3, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Why not have kept him here among the rest, and made a sneaking, snivelling pickpocket of him at once?
Oliver Twist, Vol. II (of 3)|Charles Dickens
"And I'll tell what I know about your sneaking in and out of the dormitories at night," added Paxton.
The Mystery at Putnam Hall|Arthur M. Winfield
Osborne is a sneaking Yankee, an abolitionist, and the old fool can't keep his mouth shut.
The Courier of the Ozarks|Byron A. Dunn
Literature, I do believe hes been and done some low-down, sneaking good action.
The Woman Gives|Owen Johnson
I never waited for to look further, but uncocked my gun and went sneaking back on my tiptoes as fast as ever I could.
Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Complete|Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens)

British Dictionary definitions for sneaking

sneaking

/ (ˈsniːkɪŋ) /

adjective

acting in a furtive or cowardly way

secreta sneaking desire to marry a millionaire

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

Derived forms of sneaking

sneakingly, adverbsneakingness, 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

sneaking

Origin of sneaking

OTHER WORDS FROM sneaking

Words nearby sneaking

Words related to sneaking

How to use sneaking in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for sneaking

Derived forms of sneaking