sneaking

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'sneaking' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to an action of moving stealthily, often with the intention to avoid being detected. Example sentence: The burglar attempted to enter the house by sneaking in through an open window.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Arts

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I suspect that this may be more relevant to a red-wine coq au vin than this variety, but I love black pudding, and I'm tickled by the idea of sneaking some Irish blood into Roux's very French recipe, so I try it.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

There was no sneaking around from tent to tent".

The Guardian

Solo & Adit sneaking Death Star Shine in the #Hottest100!

The Guardian

Just wanted to say I still clearly remember sneaking into the local cinema under-aged to watch Frankenstein and absolutely loved it, still do!

The Guardian

Markus Kaarma, 30, is charged with baiting 17-year-old Diren Dede into sneaking into Kaarma's darkened garage early ono 27 April and killing him with four shotgun blasts.

The Guardian

Watching the film, it is impossible not to have a sneaking suspicion that Mr Turner is, at least in part, autobiographical, or, at the very least, that it involves sympathetic projection, that it reflects Leigh himself.

The Guardian - Film

He began regularly dictating entries into his forbidden phone, and sneaking random paragraphs into voluminous love letters, while Alex did the editing and posting.

The Guardian

Voting to ensure the Greens finish fourth will be the best way to prevent Griffin sneaking in through the back door.

The Guardian - Opinion

Yes, even when he's designing you a discount warehouse, Gehry will find a way of sneaking in his trademark cladding material.

The Guardian - Arts

"I saw the gunmen sneaking into the school compound in hordes but I couldn't call any soldiers for help," said Ahmadu Sani, whose farm borders the school grounds where 46 were killed.

The Guardian

Later came illegal warehouse raves and sneaking underage into clubs.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sneaking" to describe actions intended to avoid detection or observation. It implies a deliberate attempt to remain unnoticed.

Common error

Avoid using "sneaking" when describing general movement. It specifically implies a secretive or stealthy action, not just any kind of movement.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "sneaking" is as a verb, specifically the present participle of "sneak". It is used to describe an ongoing action of moving stealthily, as confirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Lifestyle

20%

Arts

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "sneaking" is a versatile verb form used to describe secretive or stealthy movement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used. Predominantly found in News & Media, it also frequently appears in Arts and Lifestyle contexts. When using "sneaking", ensure the context aligns with the intent to avoid detection; otherwise, consider alternatives like "stealthily moving" or "furtively creeping". Avoid misspellings and ensure the context aligns with a stealthy action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stealthily moving

Focuses on the manner of movement, emphasizing quietness and carefulness.

furtively creeping

Highlights the secretive and often suspicious nature of the movement.

secretly slinking

Emphasizes a quiet, almost cat-like movement, often to avoid detection.

surreptitiously approaching

Focuses on the act of coming closer without being noticed.

clandestinely entering

Highlights the secretive and often illicit nature of gaining entry.

quietly slipping

Emphasizes a gentle and almost unnoticeable movement or departure.

covertly advancing

Focuses on a hidden or disguised forward movement or progress.

stealthily infiltrating

Highlights the act of secretly penetrating an area or group.

unobtrusively going

Emphasizes the action of going unnoticed or without causing disturbance.

undercover maneuvering

Focuses on tactical or strategic movement that is hidden or disguised.

FAQs

How to use "sneaking" in a sentence?

You can use "sneaking" to describe someone moving quietly and secretly, for example: "He was "sneaking" around the corner, trying not to be seen."

What can I say instead of "sneaking"?

You can use alternatives like "stealthily moving", "furtively creeping", or "secretly slinking" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "sneaking" or "sneeking"?

"Sneaking" is the correct spelling. "Sneeking" is a misspelling.

What's the difference between "sneaking" and "creeping"?

"Sneaking" often implies a deliberate attempt to avoid detection, while "creeping" can simply mean moving slowly and quietly, without necessarily implying secrecy.