sneaking

[snee-king]

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.

sneaking

/ 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 )

Other Word Forms

• sneakingly adverb
• sneakingness noun
• unsneaking adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of sneaking¹

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

Example Sentences

For the past month, we’ve been sneaking out in the early morning—she in a Navy SEAL-worthy vest and me in one that looks like an ill-fitting lifejacket—as we supercharge our morning walk.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

I felt sheepish when my partner caught me sneaking a cookie shortly after I had encouraged him to forgo dessert so we could “be healthy together.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Dawn said Sophie started sneaking out in the early hours and she instantly noticed the change in her when she got home.

Read more on BBC

Perfect for weeknight experimentation, and ideal for sneaking into family favorites.

Read more on Salon

From riding the beach cruiser through campus at night all buck naked to jumping into the Olympic pool, sneaking into the swim stadium because our dorm was right next to it.

Read more on Los Angeles Times