stealthily

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "stealthily" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe actions done in a secretive or sneaky manner, often to avoid detection. Example: "The cat moved stealthily through the tall grass, stalking its prey."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"There are far fewer morality police, it's obvious" he says, adding that their latest tactic is to stealthily patrol the streets rather than planting themselves in a crowded public area.

The Guardian

At night the trees are said to change their shapes and move stealthily about the valley, mingling with the ghosts of slaughtered Vikings and Saxon defenders.

The Guardian - Travel

Here's the lowdown: You very stealthily lick your finger and then subtly press the anointed finger into the outside of the plane as you board and voila: safe and sound.

The Guardian

She was the only photographer I ever wanted to sit in on an interview I was doing, not just because she could recede into invisibility, hands folded in her lap, placid as Miss Marple, or stealthily circle the room, eyes glinting, but also because she disarmed people.

The Guardian - Arts

iMessage is being stealthily positioned as a BlackBerry killer If you watch the video (link below) you'll see that in talking about the iPod Touch, Schiller makes a great deal of its potential appeal for "kids".

The Guardian - Tech

Robots, autonomous and remotely controlled, are stealthily entering the public environment.

The Economist

They worried that Mr Martinelli was stealthily trying to keep his hands on the levers of power, especially after his wife was chosen as Mr Arias's running-mate.Mr Varela, the scion of a rum dynasty, also campaigned on a pledge to clean up politics.

The Economist

Viruses are wily houseguests, moving stealthily from one host to the next.

The Economist

When Dr Sharma asks shoppers what they think about his video-monitoring he says most people do not mind.But what if psychological selling is done stealthily?

The Economist

It goes like this: Donald Rumsfeld, the defence secretary, has been stealthily setting up a Hillary Clinton-like policy review.

The Economist

The ruling Congress party is secular-minded but has slowly, at times stealthily (and often only under immense pressure) pushed liberal economic reforms.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "stealthily" to describe actions where the manner of movement or operation is intended to be unseen or unheard, emphasizing a desire for concealment. For instance, "The data was transferred stealthily to avoid detection."

Common error

Avoid mistaking "stealthily" for "steadily". "Stealthily" means in a secretive way, while "steadily" means in a consistent and gradual way. For example, say "He moved stealthily through the shadows" not "He moved steadily through the shadows" if you want to express secrecy.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "stealthily" primarily functions to modify verbs, describing how an action is performed. Ludwig examples show it modifies verbs like "patrol", "move", "circle", providing detail about the manner of the action. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

82%

Encyclopedias

6%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "stealthily" functions as an adverb denoting actions performed in a secretive or furtive manner. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical usage is correct, and it appears frequently in various contexts, predominantly in news and media. Related terms include "furtively" and "surreptitiously", each providing a slightly nuanced meaning. Remember to use "stealthily" when describing actions intended to avoid detection and not confuse it with "steadily".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

furtively

Emphasizes the attempt to avoid being noticed, often due to guilt or wrongdoing.

surreptitiously

Highlights the secretive nature of the action, aiming to prevent detection.

sneakily

Indicates a sly and cunning way of doing something, often to gain an advantage.

secretly

A more general term for actions done in a hidden or concealed manner.

covertly

Suggests an action carried out with careful planning and hidden motives.

in a secretive manner

A more descriptive phrase that emphasizes the hidden nature of the action.

clandestinely

Implies an action that is illegal or forbidden, done in strict secrecy.

discreetly

Emphasizes the intention to avoid causing embarrassment or drawing attention.

quietly

Focuses on the lack of noise or disturbance during the action.

under the radar

Idiomatic phrase suggesting avoiding attention or detection by authorities.

FAQs

How can I use "stealthily" in a sentence?

"Stealthily" is an adverb that describes an action done in a secretive or sneaky manner. For example, "The cat moved "stealthily" through the tall grass, stalking its prey."

What words can I use instead of "stealthily"?

You can use alternatives such as "furtively", "surreptitiously", or "secretly" depending on the specific context.

What is the difference between "stealthily" and "quietly"?

"Stealthily" implies secrecy and avoiding detection, while "quietly" simply means without making much noise. You can move quietly without necessarily trying to hide, but moving stealthily almost always involves being quiet.

Is it correct to say "move stealthily" or "stealthily move"?

Both "move stealthily" and "stealthily move" can be grammatically correct, but "move stealthily" is more common because adverbs often follow the verb they modify. However, placing ""stealthily"" before the verb can add emphasis.