sneaking

adjective

sneak·​ing ˈsnē-kiŋ How to pronounce sneaking (audio)
1
2
: characteristic of a sneak : furtive, underhanded
3
a
: not openly expressed or acknowledged
a sneaking respect for cultureH. A. Burton
b
: that is a persistent conjecture
a sneaking suspicion
sneakingly adverb

Examples of sneaking in a Sentence

never let one of those sneaking salespeople into your house harbored a sneaking admiration for his chief business rival

Word History

First Known Use

1582, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of sneaking was in 1582

Dictionary Entries Near sneaking

Cite this Entry

“Sneaking.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sneaking. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

sneaking

adjective
sneak·​ing
ˈsnē-kiŋ
1
2
a
: not openly expressed
a sneaking admiration for an opponent
b
: being a thought, feeling, or suspicion that makes one uneasy
a sneaking feeling we would fail

More from Merriam-Webster on sneaking

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