as in undercover
undertaken or done so as to escape being observed or known by others
I took a clandestine peek at the price tag on the diamond necklace
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Recent Examples of clandestine
Next to it was a quote from Tubman about her experience coordinating the clandestine network for slaves seeking freedom.
—
Zoe Sottile, CNN Money, 7 Apr. 2025
In a country seemingly inured to episodes of brutal violence from drug cartels, where clandestine graves emerge every month, the images shocked Mexicans and prompted outraged human rights groups to demand that the government put an end to the violence that has ravaged the nation for years.
—Paulina Villegas, New York Times, 15 Mar. 2025
After authorities responded with mass arrests, weavers formed clandestine committees and took secret oaths.
—John Cassidy, New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2025
Til Schweiger plays a sardonic whale-tourism boat captain (and former elite military operative, obviously) who gets roped into taking down a clandestine organization that’s building the perfect super-soldier through genetic experiments.
—Jordan Crucchiola, Vulture, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clandestine
Zoe Sottile, CNN Money, 7 Apr. 2025
In a country seemingly inured to episodes of brutal violence from drug cartels, where clandestine graves emerge every month, the images shocked Mexicans and prompted outraged human rights groups to demand that the government put an end to the violence that has ravaged the nation for years.
—Paulina Villegas, New York Times, 15 Mar. 2025
After authorities responded with mass arrests, weavers formed clandestine committees and took secret oaths.
—John Cassidy, New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2025
Til Schweiger plays a sardonic whale-tourism boat captain (and former elite military operative, obviously) who gets roped into taking down a clandestine organization that’s building the perfect super-soldier through genetic experiments.
—Jordan Crucchiola, Vulture, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clandestine
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clandestine
Adjective
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The Han Solo bon mot is reminiscent of Diego Luna's confusion when he is asked about smoothing some of Cassian Andor's rougher edges to go undercover as fashion designer Varian Skye in the second block of Andor season 2 episodes.—
Maureen Lee Lenker,
EW.com,
1 May 2025
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Next up, he’s set to star alongside Bryce Dallas Howard and Sean Bean in the action comedy Deep Cover, about a group of improv actors who are asked to go undercover.—
Keith Langston,
People.com,
15 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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After the unexpected death of the pope, Cardinal Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes) is tasked with running the covert process of choosing a new leader.—
Saman Shafiq,
USA Today,
22 Apr. 2025
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Those documents gave curious readers more details about Cold War-era covert U.S. operations in other nations, but did not initially lend credence to long-circulating conspiracy theories about who killed JFK.—
Josh Funk and Haya Panjwani,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Even the price tag of the new Mount Weather work is confidential, but contracting details suggest workers will must be skilled in both underground construction and HVAC equipment, including air handlers.—
Trevor Hughes,
USA Today,
1 May 2025
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In 1965, the hotel built an underground bunker where guests could shelter during US air raids.—
Lilit Marcus,
CNN Money,
30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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And when the owner of the second-largest private company in the United States speaks, there’s an oracle-like aura that demands parsing.—
Philip Elliott,
Time,
2 May 2025
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There will also be lots of amenities, including the swimming pool and some sort of private club.—
Adam Williams,
New Atlas,
1 May 2025
Adjective
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Reporters from around the country followed the case, which marked the first time ever that prosecutors would play for a jury a surreptitious FBI recording of mob soldiers taking the oath of omerta during a mafia initiation ceremony.—
Edmund H. Mahony,
Hartford Courant,
21 Apr. 2025
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For example: In 2003, a group of Providence, Rhode Island, artists embarked on a project combining installation art and surreptitious living arrangements.—
Michael Phillips,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Clandestine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clandestine. Accessed 4 May. 2025.
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