Stealthily Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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stealthily

[ˈstelθ.ɪ.li ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adverb}

moving quietly and carefully in order not to be seen or heard

Moving stealthily through the dark alley, the thief made sure not to make a sound.

Synonyms

furtively, quietly, secretly.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
stealthily	Used when someone is moving in a cautious, careful manner to avoid being noticed. Often associated with military operations, hunting, or any scenario requiring high discretion. The spy moved stealthily through the enemy base. He crept stealthily up the stairs to avoid waking anyone.
quietly	Means doing something with little noise. It is more general and can be used in a variety of settings, not necessarily related to secrecy. She spoke quietly so as not to disturb the sleeping baby. He opened the door quietly to avoid interrupting the meeting.
secretly	Indicates that something is being done without anyone else knowing, often to hide the action or information from others. They were meeting secretly to plan the surprise party. She secretly hoped he would call her.
furtively	Implies that the action is being done in a sneaky or sly way, often because someone has something to hide or is feeling guilty. It has a negative connotation. She glanced furtively at the door, hoping no one would see her leave. He slipped the note into his pocket furtively, making sure no one noticed.

Examples of usage

He crept stealthily towards the door, trying not to wake up anyone.
The ninja moved stealthily through the shadows, unseen by his enemies.

^{Context #2 | Adjective}

acting in a secret and sneaky way

The spy operated in a stealthily manner, gathering information without being detected.

Synonyms

covertly, furtively, sneakily.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
stealthily	Used when someone moves quietly and carefully to avoid being seen or heard. Often used in situations where discretion is needed, such as in military operations or spying. The cat moved stealthily through the tall grass The thief stealthily approached the safe in the dark
sneakily	Used when someone acts in a sly or underhanded manner, often involving trickery or deception. The term has a slightly negative connotation and is often used in informal contexts. The child sneakily took a cookie from the jar He sneakily read his sister's diary
covertly	Used when actions or operations are done in secrecy, often involving clandestine or secret missions. The term is more formal and is often used in official or professional contexts. The agent conducted covertly surveillance on the suspect The company decided to covertly acquire its competitor
furtively	Used when someone does something secretly and often implies guilt or a desire to avoid notice. The term usually suggests that the person has something to hide. She glanced furtively at the exit, hoping no one would see her leave He furtively slipped the document into his bag

Examples of usage

The cat approached the bird stealthily, ready to pounce at any moment.
The thieves entered the museum stealthily, avoiding the security cameras.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'stealthily'

The word 'stealthily' is derived from the Middle English word 'stelthe', meaning 'theft'. Over time, the meaning of the word evolved to include the concept of moving in a secretive or sneaky way. The use of 'stealthily' to describe actions done quietly and carefully in order not to be seen or heard became more common in the English language.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #22,655, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.

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22652 jerky
22653 cordage
22654 decoupling
22655 stealthily
22656 cerebrum
22657 feral
22658 fatherly
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