FURTIVE Synonyms: 100 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of furtive are clandestine , covert , secret , stealthy , surreptitious , and underhanded . While all these words mean "done without attracting observation," furtive implies a sly or cautious stealthiness. // lovers exchanging furtive glances

Q: When would 'clandestine' be a good substitute for 'furtive'?

In some situations, the words clandestine and furtive are roughly equivalent. However, 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 could 'covert' be used to replace 'furtive'?

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

Q: When is 'secret' a more appropriate choice than 'furtive'?

While in some cases nearly identical to furtive , secret implies concealment on any grounds for any motive. // met at a secret location

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

While the synonyms stealthy and furtive are close in meaning, stealthy suggests taking pains to avoid being seen or heard especially in some misdoing. // the stealthy step of a burglar

Q: In what contexts can 'surreptitious' take the place of 'furtive'?

Although the words surreptitious and furtive have much in common, 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 might 'underhanded' be a better fit than 'furtive'?

The words underhanded and furtive are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, underhanded stresses fraud or deception. // an underhanded trick

furtive

adjective

ˈfər-tiv

Definition of furtive next

as in shady

given to acting in secret and to concealing one's intentions a furtive guy who always seems to be up to something, and usually that something is no-good

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in clandestine

undertaken or done so as to escape being observed or known by others gave each other furtive glances as we watched our friend open the booby-trapped soda

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word furtive distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of furtive are clandestine, covert, secret, stealthy, surreptitious, and underhanded. While all these words mean "done without attracting observation," furtive implies a sly or cautious stealthiness.

lovers exchanging furtive glances

When would clandestine be a good substitute for furtive?

In some situations, the words clandestine and furtive are roughly equivalent. However, 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 could covert be used to replace furtive?

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

covert intelligence operations

When is secret a more appropriate choice than furtive?

While in some cases nearly identical to furtive, secret implies concealment on any grounds for any motive.

met at a secret location

When can stealthy be used instead of furtive?

While the synonyms stealthy and furtive are close in meaning, stealthy suggests taking pains to avoid being seen or heard especially in some misdoing.

the stealthy step of a burglar

In what contexts can surreptitious take the place of furtive?

Although the words surreptitious and furtive have much in common, 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 might underhanded be a better fit than furtive?

The words underhanded and furtive are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, underhanded stresses fraud or deception.

an underhanded trick

Examples Sentences

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Recent Examples of furtive Regular visitors to Town Hall know Oscar well as the furtive unofficial greeter, slinking from one desk to another. —

John Tuohy, The Indianapolis Star, 2 Aug. 2024 His constant furtive glances keep us questioning who this lithe young lad really is, to others and especially to himself. —

Manuel Betancourt, Los Angeles Times, 2 Aug. 2024 The furtive nature of the payments raises further questions about how many such payments were orchestrated, whether legitimate services were actually rendered, and whether such payments required additional reporting by Justice Thomas. —

Jennifer Rubin, Washington Post, 11 July 2024 But unfortunately, all the furtive moments between the couple have only fueled my appetite for full-on debauchery in season two. —

Samantha Allen, Them, 10 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for furtive

Recent Examples of Synonyms for furtive

Adjective

Amid the complaints about various shady men in their lives and the exuberant jostling over who stole whose clientele, there is always the fear of the world outside the salon.

Karen D'Souza, The Mercury News, 15 Nov. 2024
To avoid having to go upstairs to a guest room for nap time, the shady privacy of a cabana offers a perfect space for young children (or tired parents) to nap.

Margaux Lushing, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024