sneaking

adjective

sneak·​ing ˈsnē-kiŋ 

1

: mean, contemptible

2

: characteristic of a sneak : furtive, underhanded

3

a

: not openly expressed or acknowledged

a sneaking respect for culture

—H. A. Burton

b

: that is a persistent conjecture

a sneaking suspicion

sneakingly adverb

Synonyms

• furtive
• shady
• shifty
• slippery
• sly
• sneaky
• stealthy

Examples of sneaking in a Sentence

never let one of those sneaking salespeople into your house

harbored a sneaking admiration for his chief business rival

Word History

First Known Use

1582, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

sneaking

adjective

sneak·​ing

ˈsnē-kiŋ

1

: furtive, underhand

2

a

: not openly expressed

a sneaking admiration for an opponent

b

: being a thought, feeling, or suspicion that makes one uneasy

a sneaking feeling we would fail