furtive | ||
1. | [ adjective ] marked by quiet and caution and secrecy; taking pains to avoid being observed | |
Synonyms: | stealthy skulking sneaky sneak surreptitious lurking | |
Examples: | "a furtive manner" "a lurking prowler" "a sneak attack" "stealthy footsteps" "a surreptitious glance at his watch" "someone skulking in the shadows" |
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Related terms: | concealed | |
2. | [ adjective ] secret and sly or sordid | |
Synonyms: | backstairs backstair | |
Examples: | "backstairs gossip" "his low backstairs cunning"- A.L.Guerard "backstairs intimacies" "furtive behavior" |
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Related terms: | covert | |
Similar spelling: |
furtively |