Synonyms

sneaky

American

[snee-kee] / ˈsni ki /

adjective

sneakier, sneakiest

like or suggestive of a sneak; furtive; deceitful.

Other Word Forms

sneakily adverb
sneakiness noun
unsneaky adjective

Etymology

Origin of sneaky

First recorded in 1825–35; sneak + -y ¹

Explanation

If you're devious or tricky, you might be described as sneaky. Tiptoeing up behind your napping dad to scare him would be sneaky. You might watch your sneaky cat stalking an oblivious squirrel, or act sneaky yourself — slipping quietly into your brother's room to borrow his favorite sweater without asking first. Anytime you make sure not to be seen doing something, you're being sneaky. Sneaky most likely has roots in the Middle English sniken, "to creep or crawl."

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Vocabulary lists containing sneaky

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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.

Even so, I have a sneaky feeling Sunderland will find a way of winning this one at home, and leave Forest with a bit more work to do.

From BBC • Apr. 23, 2026

And there’s like sneaky entrances into the stages.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 22, 2026

But one school said pupils were "more sneaky" and using phones under desks and in toilets after sanctions for breaking rules were clarified.

From BBC • Apr. 13, 2026

A strong undercurrent of that lively book is that it’s good to be unreadable and sneaky: “I play it very loose.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 2, 2026

He smiled, sneaky, like he was up to something.

From "As Brave As You" by Jason Reynolds

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023