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View synonyms for surreptitious

surreptitious

[ sur-uhp-tish-uhs ]

adjective

  1. obtained, done, made, etc., by stealth; secret or unauthorized; clandestine:

    a surreptitious glance.

  2. acting in a stealthy way.
  3. obtained by subreption; subreptitious.


surreptitious

/ ˌsʌrəpˈtɪʃəs /

adjective

  1. done, acquired, etc, in secret or by improper means
  2. operating by stealth
  3. characterized by fraud or misrepresentation of the truth
“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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Derived Forms

  • ˌsurrepˈtitiousness, noun
  • ˌsurrepˈtitiously, adverb
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Other Words From

  • sur·rep·ti·tious·ly adverb
  • sur·rep·ti·tious·ness noun
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Word History and Origins

Origin of surreptitious1

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Latin surreptīcius “stolen, clandestine,” equivalent to surrept(us), past participle of surripere “to steal,” ( sur- sur- 2 + rep-, combining form of rapere “to snatch, plunder” ( rape 1 ) + -tus past participle suffix) + -īcius adjective suffix ( -itious )
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Word History and Origins

Origin of surreptitious1

C15: from Latin surreptīcius furtive, from surripere to steal, from sub- secretly + rapere to snatch
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Example Sentences

After the couple found out about her surreptitious sterilization, “All our plans came tumbling down.”

It was suggested it had been conducted by the UK to be able to blame Russia "as part of a sort of bizarre and surreptitious intelligence operation of some variety", he added.

From BBC

For the defense, the government’s surreptitious recordings were hard to overcome.

If she didn’t act quickly, she would have to make a far more perilous, surreptitious journey over land to settle with her sister in Dallas.

Those seconds can come from a voicemail, social media post or surreptitious recording, Farid said.

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