Sneaky
adjective
Acting or done in a secret or dishonest way, trying to avoid notice.
He used a sneaky trick to get ahead in the race.
Often appears as...
- sneaky trick
- sneaky way
Usage tips
Disapproving
adjective
Quietly moving or working without being noticed.
The cat was sneaky, silently moving towards its prey.
Often appears as...
- sneaky cat
- sneaky thief
Usage tips
Neutral
adjective
Acting or done in a secret or dishonest way, trying to avoid notice.
He used a sneaky trick to get ahead in the race.
Often appears as...
- sneaky trick
- sneaky way
Usage tips
Disapproving
adjective
Quietly moving or working without being noticed.
The cat was sneaky, silently moving towards its prey.
Often appears as...
- sneaky cat
- sneaky thief
Usage tips
Neutral
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Connotation
Sneaky has a negative vibe, suggesting dishonest behavior not appreciated by others.
People frowned upon his sneaky behavior at work.
Pro Tip 2/3Hidden Intentions
Often implies hidden motives or plans that are secretly pursued.
She gave a sneaky smile before surprising him with the gift.
Pro Tip 3/3Sly Actions
Associated with actions that are cleverly deceitful and require caution to spot.
His sneaky maneuvering during the debate caught his opponent off guard.
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Connotation
Sneaky has a negative vibe, suggesting dishonest behavior not appreciated by others.
People frowned upon his sneaky behavior at work.
Pro Tip 2/3Hidden Intentions
Often implies hidden motives or plans that are secretly pursued.
She gave a sneaky smile before surprising him with the gift.
Pro Tip 3/3Sly Actions
Associated with actions that are cleverly deceitful and require caution to spot.
His sneaky maneuvering during the debate caught his opponent off guard.
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Connotation
Sneaky has a negative vibe, suggesting dishonest behavior not appreciated by others.
People frowned upon his sneaky behavior at work.
Pro Tip 2/3Hidden Intentions
Often implies hidden motives or plans that are secretly pursued.
She gave a sneaky smile before surprising him with the gift.
Pro Tip 3/3Sly Actions
Associated with actions that are cleverly deceitful and require caution to spot.
His sneaky maneuvering during the debate caught his opponent off guard.
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Video examples
Cell vs. virus: A battle...
like helping cells adhere to their neighbors or binding to nutrients the cell will need. Animal and plant cells have cell membranes. Only plant cells have a cell wall, which is made of rigid cellulose that gives the plant structure. The virus cell that was sneezed into your lungs is sneaky. Pretending to be a friend,
Video examples
When do kids start to...
Besides the fact that babies are actually really, really sneaky. From very early on, children, like adults, are sensitive to the values that we place on objects and behaviors. And importantly, they use these values to guide their behavior. Whether we're aware of it or not,
Video examples
Would You Risk Venomous...
oh I know you're not happy how can you not admire the beauty of something like this cicada killer but you see he's got this clever trick he's acting like a female the females of course are the ones that can sting I'm sneaky enough to know that he's just just a sweet
Video examples
Why you procrastinate --...
relationship with deadlines, but the Monkey's sneakiest trick is when the deadlines aren't there. We need to think about what we're really procrastinating on, because everyone is procrastinating on something in life.
Video examples
Tim Urban: Inside the...
and some of you may have a healthy relationship with deadlines, but the Monkey's sneakiest trick is when the deadlines aren't there. Now, I want to show you one last thing. I call this a Life Calendar.
Video examples
Giraffe's Blue Tongues PIPE...
delve into the sneaky traits that some species have evolved to help them survive in their environment and subscribe to BBC Earth for more fascinating wildlife videos from around the world
Video examples
Brain Magic - The Scam...
okay done great cheers Cheers this sneaky little bet exploits the brains tendency to focus on the big picture all while forgetting the pesky little details would you have fallen for it
Video examples
Best Wild Animal Chases...
holes not deep enough the Fox is sensitive nose tells him exactly where to dig there's a sneaky backdoor if he can squeeze through
Video examples
Lemur's Scent Attracts...
their affection just sits and waits whilst the squabbles continue one sneaky young male sees an opportunity to make
Video examples
Desert Fox Hunts A...
the holes not deep enough the Fox is sensitive nose tells him exactly where to dig there's a sneaky backdoor if he
Video examples
Cell vs. virus: A battle...
like helping cells adhere to their neighbors or binding to nutrients the cell will need. Animal and plant cells have cell membranes. Only plant cells have a cell wall, which is made of rigid cellulose that gives the plant structure. The virus cell that was sneezed into your lungs is sneaky. Pretending to be a friend,
Video examples
When do kids start to...
Besides the fact that babies are actually really, really sneaky. From very early on, children, like adults, are sensitive to the values that we place on objects and behaviors. And importantly, they use these values to guide their behavior. Whether we're aware of it or not,
Video examples
Would You Risk Venomous...
oh I know you're not happy how can you not admire the beauty of something like this cicada killer but you see he's got this clever trick he's acting like a female the females of course are the ones that can sting I'm sneaky enough to know that he's just just a sweet
Video examples
Why you procrastinate --...
relationship with deadlines, but the Monkey's sneakiest trick is when the deadlines aren't there. We need to think about what we're really procrastinating on, because everyone is procrastinating on something in life.
Video examples
Tim Urban: Inside the...
and some of you may have a healthy relationship with deadlines, but the Monkey's sneakiest trick is when the deadlines aren't there. Now, I want to show you one last thing. I call this a Life Calendar.
Video examples
Giraffe's Blue Tongues PIPE...
delve into the sneaky traits that some species have evolved to help them survive in their environment and subscribe to BBC Earth for more fascinating wildlife videos from around the world
Video examples
Brain Magic - The Scam...
okay done great cheers Cheers this sneaky little bet exploits the brains tendency to focus on the big picture all while forgetting the pesky little details would you have fallen for it
Video examples
Best Wild Animal Chases...
holes not deep enough the Fox is sensitive nose tells him exactly where to dig there's a sneaky backdoor if he can squeeze through
Video examples
Lemur's Scent Attracts...
their affection just sits and waits whilst the squabbles continue one sneaky young male sees an opportunity to make
Video examples
Desert Fox Hunts A...
the holes not deep enough the Fox is sensitive nose tells him exactly where to dig there's a sneaky backdoor if he
Example 1 of 10
Quote examples
Sean Spicer
American Public Servant
Conflicts of interest' arise when you're not - when you're sneaky about it, when you're shady about it, when you're not transparent about it. If you tell everyone, 'Here's what's going on. Here's the process; here are the people that are playing a role' - that's being transparent.
Quote examples
Jimmy Fallon
American Comedian
On 'Late Night,' it's like we're all in on the joke. That's what I wanted it to be. I'm not doing something sneaky. Inside jokes, I don't like those. We can all ride together, and everyone's on the same thing going, 'Aha, I know where you're going here.
Quote examples
David Ignatius
American Journalist
Machiavelli did believe that it was better to appear to be good than to be good. If you're good, you're just too vulnerable, but if you appear to be good, you get all the benefits plus you can be sneaky and, when necessary, stab someone in the back.
Quote examples
Lizz Wright
American Musician
I'd listen to the radio, especially when my parents were out on house calls to pray for people - you know, shut-ins. Sometimes, if we were incredibly sneaky, we could do it at night when everyone was asleep.
Quote examples
Rose Matafeo
You get used to such micro-aggressions, those sneaky remarks. Especially in comedy: when the mood is meant to be light you can get accused of not being able to take a joke.
Quote examples
AJ Tracey
British Musician
Yes, I'm having World Cup withdrawals; but no, this is sneaky of me to say, but I actually care about Tottenham more than I care about the England team.
Quote examples
Tom Holland
English Actor
I don't like spiders, man, just because they are sneaky - they just really scare me. They are hairy - ugh.
Quote examples
Ivan Toney
My mum keeps telling me to stop getting tattoos but I'll get a few more sneaky ones in.
Quote examples
Katherine Heigl
American Actress
I'd be a terrible secret agent. I can't keep a secret and I'm not sneaky.
Quote examples
Anna Wintour
English Editor
I have learned that documentary makers are incredibly sneaky people.
Quote examples
Sean Spicer
American Public Servant
Conflicts of interest' arise when you're not - when you're sneaky about it, when you're shady about it, when you're not transparent about it. If you tell everyone, 'Here's what's going on. Here's the process; here are the people that are playing a role' - that's being transparent.
Quote examples
Jimmy Fallon
American Comedian
On 'Late Night,' it's like we're all in on the joke. That's what I wanted it to be. I'm not doing something sneaky. Inside jokes, I don't like those. We can all ride together, and everyone's on the same thing going, 'Aha, I know where you're going here.
Quote examples
David Ignatius
American Journalist
Machiavelli did believe that it was better to appear to be good than to be good. If you're good, you're just too vulnerable, but if you appear to be good, you get all the benefits plus you can be sneaky and, when necessary, stab someone in the back.
Quote examples
Lizz Wright
American Musician
I'd listen to the radio, especially when my parents were out on house calls to pray for people - you know, shut-ins. Sometimes, if we were incredibly sneaky, we could do it at night when everyone was asleep.
Quote examples
Rose Matafeo
You get used to such micro-aggressions, those sneaky remarks. Especially in comedy: when the mood is meant to be light you can get accused of not being able to take a joke.
Quote examples
AJ Tracey
British Musician
Yes, I'm having World Cup withdrawals; but no, this is sneaky of me to say, but I actually care about Tottenham more than I care about the England team.
Quote examples
Tom Holland
English Actor
I don't like spiders, man, just because they are sneaky - they just really scare me. They are hairy - ugh.
Quote examples
Ivan Toney
My mum keeps telling me to stop getting tattoos but I'll get a few more sneaky ones in.
Quote examples
Katherine Heigl
American Actress
I'd be a terrible secret agent. I can't keep a secret and I'm not sneaky.
Quote examples
Anna Wintour
English Editor
I have learned that documentary makers are incredibly sneaky people.
Example 1 of 10
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