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View synonyms for clandestine

clandestine

[klan-des-tin]

adjective

  1. characterized by, done in, or executed with secrecy or concealment, especially for purposes of subversion or deception; private or surreptitious.

    Their clandestine meetings went undiscovered for two years.



clandestine

/ klænˈdɛstɪn /

adjective

  1. secret and concealed, often for illicit reasons; furtive

“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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Other Word Forms

  • clandestinely adverb
  • clandestineness noun
  • clandestinity noun
  • unclandestinely adverb
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Word History and Origins

Origin of clandestine1

First recorded in 1560–70; from Latin clandestīnus, from clamde, clande (unrecorded) (variant of clam “secretly” + -de, adverb particle) + -stīnus (probably after intestīnus “internal”; intestine )
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Word History and Origins

Origin of clandestine1

C16: from Latin clandestīnus, from clam secretly; related to Latin celāre to hide
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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

A recent study by Mexico’s Attorney General’s Office said that the state ranked third nationwide in terms of seizures of clandestine synthetic-drug labs.

Even in normal times, the national park's dizzying heights and picturesque remote valleys are irresistible to enthusiasts, who make clandestine jumps at dawn or dusk.

Read more on Barron's

Even if this music didn’t make an impact on the charts here, it found its way back to post-revolution Iran clandestinely, on tapes and music video satellite broadcasts.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The next seven years were marked by the forced disappearance of an estimated 20,000-30,000 people, many of whom were kidnapped and taken to clandestine detention camps to be tortured and killed.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The authorization enables the CIA to operate clandestinely in the country and potentially take action against Venezuelan strongman Nicolás Maduro, his government and drug traffickers, according to an administration official.

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