CLANDESTINE Synonyms: 52 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'clandestine' distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of clandestine are covert , furtive , secret , stealthy , surreptitious , and underhanded . While all these words mean "done without attracting observation," clandestine implies secrecy usually for an evil, illicit, or unauthorized purpose and often emphasizes the fear of being discovered. // a clandestine meeting of conspirators

Q: When is it sensible to use 'covert' instead of 'clandestine'?

The words covert and clandestine can be used in similar contexts, but covert stresses the fact of not being open or declared. // covert intelligence operations

Q: When might 'furtive' be a better fit than 'clandestine'?

While the synonyms furtive and clandestine are close in meaning, furtive implies a sly or cautious stealthiness. // lovers exchanging furtive glances

Q: Where would 'secret' be a reasonable alternative to 'clandestine'?

In some situations, the words secret and clandestine are roughly equivalent. However, secret implies concealment on any grounds for any motive. // met at a secret location

Q: When can 'stealthy' be used instead of 'clandestine'?

Although the words stealthy and clandestine have much in common, stealthy suggests taking pains to avoid being seen or heard especially in some misdoing. // the stealthy step of a burglar

Q: When is 'surreptitious' a more appropriate choice than 'clandestine'?

The meanings of surreptitious and clandestine largely overlap; however, surreptitious applies to action or behavior done secretly often with skillful avoidance of detection and in violation of custom, law, or authority. // the surreptitious stockpiling of weapons

Q: When could 'underhanded' be used to replace 'clandestine'?

While in some cases nearly identical to clandestine , underhanded stresses fraud or deception. // an underhanded trick

clandestine

adjective

klan-ˈde-stən

Definition of clandestine next

as in undercover

undertaken or done so as to escape being observed or known by others I took a clandestine peek at the price tag on the diamond necklace

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word clandestine distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of clandestine are covert, furtive, secret, stealthy, surreptitious, and underhanded. While all these words mean "done without attracting observation," clandestine implies secrecy usually for an evil, illicit, or unauthorized purpose and often emphasizes the fear of being discovered.

a clandestine meeting of conspirators

When is it sensible to use covert instead of clandestine?

The words covert and clandestine can be used in similar contexts, but covert stresses the fact of not being open or declared.

covert intelligence operations

When might furtive be a better fit than clandestine?

While the synonyms furtive and clandestine are close in meaning, furtive implies a sly or cautious stealthiness.

lovers exchanging furtive glances

Where would secret be a reasonable alternative to clandestine?

In some situations, the words secret and clandestine are roughly equivalent. However, secret implies concealment on any grounds for any motive.

met at a secret location

When can stealthy be used instead of clandestine?

Although the words stealthy and clandestine have much in common, stealthy suggests taking pains to avoid being seen or heard especially in some misdoing.

the stealthy step of a burglar

When is surreptitious a more appropriate choice than clandestine?

The meanings of surreptitious and clandestine largely overlap; however, surreptitious applies to action or behavior done secretly often with skillful avoidance of detection and in violation of custom, law, or authority.

the surreptitious stockpiling of weapons

When could underhanded be used to replace clandestine?

While in some cases nearly identical to clandestine, underhanded stresses fraud or deception.

an underhanded trick

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of clandestine From exploding pagers to 'honey trapping,' how Israel runs its clandestine operations TOP STORY: The FBI is investigating the leak of classified documents that included top secret U.S. intelligence describing Israeli preparations for a possible attack on Iran. —

Fox News Staff, Fox News, 25 Oct. 2024 Before that, though, she had been recruited as a member of Section 31, the clandestine organization that the Trek franchise often uses to illustrate that even the glossy Federation has a shady side. —

Wes Davis, The Verge, 20 Oct. 2024 In the other two Sable videos, both released today, Vernon is back to his shadowy, clandestine self. —

David Browne, Rolling Stone, 18 Oct. 2024 Descend to find bunkers — built in 1967 and used by Vietnam’s military leaders to provide shelter from U.S. bombing raids — that served as clandestine war rooms and still display old typewriters and maps. —

Chris Humphrey, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for clandestine

Recent Examples of Synonyms for clandestine

Adjective

Skyler Philippi, of Columbia, Tenn., spent months in communication with undercover federal agents, planning a drone explosion that would have left thousands without power days before the general election.

Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 5 Nov. 2024
Philippi was arrested on Nov. 2 by undercover agents acting as co-conspirators who had agreed to be lookouts.

Patrick Smith, NBC News, 5 Nov. 2024