Surreptitious: meaning, definitions and examples
๐ต๏ธ
surreptitious
[หsสr.ษpหtษชส.ษs ]
Definition
secret
done, made, or acquired by stealth; acting or doing something clandestinely; obtained, made, or done by stealth; secret or unauthorized; clandestine
Synonyms
clandestine, covert, furtive, secret, stealthy.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| surreptitious |
Used when something is done secretly, especially because it would not be approved of.
|
| secret |
A broad term used to describe anything that is intentionally kept hidden from others.
|
| clandestine |
Describes activities that are kept secret, especially because they are illegal.
|
| covert |
Refers to actions that are hidden or not openly acknowledged, often used in military or spy contexts.
|
| stealthy |
Describes actions performed cautiously and secretly to avoid detection, often used with a focus on physical movement.
|
| furtive |
Implying a sense of nervousness or guilt about being caught. Often used to describe actions that are sneaky or sly.
|
Examples of usage
- He made a surreptitious entrance into the building.
- She cast a surreptitious glance at her watch during the boring meeting.
- The spy gathered information through surreptitious means.
- The detective uncovered the suspect's surreptitious activities.
- The thief made a surreptitious escape from the crime scene.
Interesting Facts
Etymology
- The word comes from the Latin 'surreptitius', meaning 'taken secretly'.
- It is derived from 'surripere', which means 'to seize secretly'.
- It started being used in English in the 17th century, initially in legal contexts.
Psychology
- Research shows that secretive behaviors can be linked to feelings of guilt or anxiety.
- Engaging in covert actions can sometimes lead to a paradox of increased anxiety due to fear of being discovered.
- Surreptitious actions in social settings may suggest a lack of trust or fear of rejection.
Literature
- Surreptitious behavior is often a theme in classic literature, such as in spy novels where characters operate under secrecy.
- Famous literary figures like Dr. Jekyll engaged in surreptitious experimentation, symbolizing the struggle between two sides of personality.
- The word frequently appears in descriptions of characters who operate covertly, adding an air of mystery.
History
- During the Cold War, espionage activities were often surreptitious, involving spies gathering intelligence without detection.
- Surreptitious strategies were essential for resistance movements, such as those during World War II, which utilized covert operations to sabotage enemies.
- In ancient Rome, clandestine messages were often exchanged surreptitiously to avoid interception by authorities.
Pop Culture
- Many movies feature surreptitious characters who engage in espionage, making them thrilling to watch.
- Popular TV shows often showcase secret societies that operate surreptitiously to manipulate events behind the scenes.
- The term gained attention in songs that explore themes of hidden love or secret relationships.
Translations
Translations of the word "surreptitious" in other languages:
๐ต๐น clandestino
๐ฎ๐ณ เคเฅเคชเฅเคค
๐ฉ๐ช heimlich
๐ฎ๐ฉ rahasia
๐บ๐ฆ ัะฐัะผะฝะธะน
๐ต๐ฑ ukryty
๐ฏ๐ต ๅ ๅฏ
๐ซ๐ท clandestin
๐ช๐ธ clandestino
๐น๐ท gizli
๐ฐ๐ท ์๋ฐํ
๐ธ๐ฆ ุณุฑู
๐จ๐ฟ tajnรฝ
๐ธ๐ฐ tajnรฝ
๐จ๐ณ ็งๅฏ็
๐ธ๐ฎ skriven
๐ฎ๐ธ leyndur
๐ฐ๐ฟ ะถะฐััััะฝ
๐ฌ๐ช แกแแแแฃแแแ
๐ฆ๐ฟ gizli
๐ฒ๐ฝ clandestino