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

Derived Forms

• ˌsurrepˈtitiousness, noun
• ˌsurrepˈtitiously, adverb

Other Words From

• sur·rep·ti·tious·ly adverb
• sur·rep·ti·tious·ness noun

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 )

Word History and Origins

Origin of surreptitious¹

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

Example Sentences

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.

From Los Angeles Times

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.

From Seattle Times

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

From Seattle Times

Not to mention the scourge of every bookstore: surreptitious photo-snappers who later shopped online.

From New York Times

Related Words

• clandestine
• covert
• furtive
• hush-hush
• unauthorized