sneakily

USAGE SUMMARY

'sneakily' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to describe an action or movement that is done in a secretive or stealthy way. For example, "The cat crept sneakily across the room to avoid being noticed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Hushmail is a great place to start – it's a free (but limited, unless you subscribe) Pretty Good Privacy (PGP) encrypted webmail service, with no third-party advertising sneakily harvesting details from your account in an attempt to push more relevant or personalised ads your way.

The Guardian - Tech

Some even sneakily track the user's comings and goings on the internet.

The Economist

Despite regulators having some success in this regard with airlines, many hotels find the temptation to advertise low prices, which they then sneakily bulk up with ancillary charges, impossible to resist.

The Economist

The critic calls attention to the way novelists slip sneakily in and out of their own prose, here speaking as a character, there pulling back the veil and revealing the voice of the author.

The Economist

I think he has lazily or sneakily conflated public unhappiness about hard-to-integrate migrant communities with public anxiety about the sheer number of eastern Europeans who came over to work after 2004.

The Economist

THERE has been something of a kerfuffle in Boston recently about Haystack, a smartphone app that allows drivers sneakily to reserve a parking space in the city.

The Economist

Then followed a dinner, during which the wine waiter sneakily filled my glass every time I turned to talk to the person next to me.

The Economist

The Obama forces seized on reports suggesting that Mr McCain might have sneakily listened to the questions as he drove to the church in his motorcade.

The Economist

It also sneakily interferes with the financial-services industry, laying down stern limits on pay and making it harder for foreigners to get visas to work there.

The Economist

During the second world war, Thailand sneakily occupied parts of western Cambodia giving them back only reluctantly after the defeat of Japan.

The Economist

That policy would sneakily shift demand from Germany to the periphery without bringing down the contractionary ECB hammer.The ECB might also be interested in seeing faster inflation and demand growth in the euro area but nervous about using asset purchases to try and engineer it.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sneakily" to add nuance to descriptions when you want to emphasize the secretive or stealthy way in which an action is performed. It can convey a sense of mischievousness, deceit, or caution, depending on the context.

Common error

Avoid using "sneakily" in formal or professional writing where a more neutral term like "surreptitiously" or "covertly" would be more appropriate. "Sneakily" can sometimes sound informal or judgmental.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "sneakily" modifies verbs, describing the manner in which an action is performed. As Ludwig AI confirms, it indicates that the action is done in a secretive, stealthy, or underhanded way. Examples from Ludwig showcase its use in describing both physical movements and more abstract actions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sneakily" is a grammatically sound adverb used to describe actions performed in a secretive or stealthy manner. While common in news and media, it is less suited for formal or professional contexts where terms like "surreptitiously" or "covertly" might be more appropriate. As Ludwig AI highlights, it adds nuance to descriptions by emphasizing the intention behind the action, whether it's mischief, deception, or caution. The frequency of its appearance in various sources underscores its relevance in everyday language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

surreptitiously

Emphasizes the secretive nature of the action, often to avoid detection.

furtively

Suggests a cautious and secretive action, often due to guilt or fear.

covertly

Implies a hidden or disguised action, often for strategic purposes.

stealthily

Highlights the quiet and careful manner of the action, avoiding attention.

secretly

Focuses on the hidden nature of the action, unknown to others.

underhandedly

Suggests a deceitful or unfair method used to achieve something.

on the sly

Indicates a casual and secretive way of doing something, often playfully.

in a clandestine manner

Emphasizes the secrecy and formality of the action, often in an organized way.

by stealth

Highlights the use of careful and quiet movements to avoid detection.

deceptively

Focuses on the misleading nature of the action, creating a false impression.

FAQs

How can I use "sneakily" in a sentence?

You can use "sneakily" to describe actions performed in a secretive or stealthy manner. For instance, "The cat "crept sneakily" across the room" or "He "sneakily ate" the last cookie when no one was looking."

What words are similar to "sneakily"?

Similar words include "surreptitiously", "furtively", and "covertly". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "sneakily" in formal writing?

While "sneakily" is a valid word, it's generally more appropriate for informal or narrative contexts. In formal writing, consider using more neutral terms like "surreptitiously" or "covertly".

What is the difference between "sneakily" and "secretly"?

"Secretly" simply means something is done in secret. "Sneakily" implies a degree of stealth or trickery, suggesting an effort to avoid being noticed while doing something that might be frowned upon.