CLANDESTINE Synonyms: 52 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'clandestine' distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of clandestine are covert , furtive , secret , stealthy , surreptitious , and underhanded . While all these words mean "done without attracting observation," clandestine implies secrecy usually for an evil, illicit, or unauthorized purpose and often emphasizes the fear of being discovered. // a clandestine meeting of conspirators

Q: When is it sensible to use 'covert' instead of 'clandestine'?

The words covert and clandestine can be used in similar contexts, but covert stresses the fact of not being open or declared. // covert intelligence operations

Q: When might 'furtive' be a better fit than 'clandestine'?

While the synonyms furtive and clandestine are close in meaning, furtive implies a sly or cautious stealthiness. // lovers exchanging furtive glances

Q: Where would 'secret' be a reasonable alternative to 'clandestine'?

In some situations, the words secret and clandestine are roughly equivalent. However, secret implies concealment on any grounds for any motive. // met at a secret location

Q: When can 'stealthy' be used instead of 'clandestine'?

Although the words stealthy and clandestine have much in common, stealthy suggests taking pains to avoid being seen or heard especially in some misdoing. // the stealthy step of a burglar

Q: When is 'surreptitious' a more appropriate choice than 'clandestine'?

The meanings of surreptitious and clandestine largely overlap; however, surreptitious applies to action or behavior done secretly often with skillful avoidance of detection and in violation of custom, law, or authority. // the surreptitious stockpiling of weapons

Q: When could 'underhanded' be used to replace 'clandestine'?

While in some cases nearly identical to clandestine , underhanded stresses fraud or deception. // an underhanded trick

clandestine

adjective

klan-ˈde-stən

Definition of clandestine next

as in undercover

undertaken or done so as to escape being observed or known by others I took a clandestine peek at the price tag on the diamond necklace

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How is the word clandestine distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of clandestine are covert, furtive, secret, stealthy, surreptitious, and underhanded. While all these words mean "done without attracting observation," clandestine implies secrecy usually for an evil, illicit, or unauthorized purpose and often emphasizes the fear of being discovered.

a clandestine meeting of conspirators

When is it sensible to use covert instead of clandestine?

The words covert and clandestine can be used in similar contexts, but covert stresses the fact of not being open or declared.

covert intelligence operations

When might furtive be a better fit than clandestine?

While the synonyms furtive and clandestine are close in meaning, furtive implies a sly or cautious stealthiness.

lovers exchanging furtive glances

Where would secret be a reasonable alternative to clandestine?

In some situations, the words secret and clandestine are roughly equivalent. However, secret implies concealment on any grounds for any motive.

met at a secret location

When can stealthy be used instead of clandestine?

Although the words stealthy and clandestine have much in common, stealthy suggests taking pains to avoid being seen or heard especially in some misdoing.

the stealthy step of a burglar

When is surreptitious a more appropriate choice than clandestine?

The meanings of surreptitious and clandestine largely overlap; however, surreptitious applies to action or behavior done secretly often with skillful avoidance of detection and in violation of custom, law, or authority.

the surreptitious stockpiling of weapons

When could underhanded be used to replace clandestine?

While in some cases nearly identical to clandestine, underhanded stresses fraud or deception.

an underhanded trick

Examples of clandestine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Arthur accompanied Harry on a notorious trip to Las Vegas in 2012, when the prince was secretly photographed half naked, and the public got a gander when the clandestine shutterbug leaked the shots to the tabloids. —

Shawn Tully, Fortune, 7 Aug. 2024 The show advocated for ingenious things abstract artists do: adapt to forms of oppression with clandestine messages, respond to vernacurlar patterns and their cultural histories, and give form to essential human emotions. —

Emily Watlington, ARTnews.com, 30 July 2024 The city experienced a spike in homicides, kidnappings, extortions, and clandestine burials. —

Amy Reed-Sandoval, The New Yorker, 25 July 2024 Perhaps instead of panel presentations, this gathering might better resemble those clandestine occasions where people arrange the folding chairs in a circle. —

Jesús Rodríguez, Washington Post, 18 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for clandestine

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'clandestine.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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“Clandestine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clandestine. Accessed 28 Aug. 2024.

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Last Updated: 22 Aug 2024 - Updated example sentences

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Synonyms of clandestine

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