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

Derived Forms

• sneakingly
  adverb
• sneakingness
  noun
• unsneaking
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of sneaking

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

Example Sentences

Elliott checked and scrolled compulsively, bypassing the parental controls, sneaking down to grab his phone from the family charging unit in the kitchen at night.

From Slate • May 12, 2026

This isn’t a case of kids sneaking past the gate.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

One post tags Rihanna, whom she challenged "to say something to me directly instead of sneaking around like you talking to me where I'm not at."

From Barron's • Mar. 25, 2026

In one post, she said: “Say something to me directly instead of sneaking around like you talking to me where I’m not at.”

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 9, 2026

The real worry that was lodged deep in my throat was that all this sneaking around wouldn’t be worth it in the end.

From "From the Desk of Zoe Washington" by Janae Marks