Sneaky

Characterized by behaving in a secretive, underhanded, or cunning manner to avoid detection or to achieve an advantage, often involving deception or trickery. A sneaky action is typically intended to be unnoticed and might involve breaking rules or exploiting vulnerabilities. The motivation behind being sneaky can range from harmless pranks to malicious intentions, always implying a lack of transparency and a desire to operate outside of direct observation or confrontation. It often highlights a clever, yet potentially dishonest, approach to a situation.

Sneaky meaning with examples

• The children played a sneaky prank on their unsuspecting parents by hiding all the house keys. They giggled with delight, enjoying their secret plot and the impending surprise. They'd spent the afternoon carefully planning the best hiding spots, ensuring maximum amusement and minimum chance of getting caught. Their sneaky actions, though mischievous, were driven by youthful fun and didn't have any malicious intent, which would only have been obvious if their parents actually lost their keys.
• The detective used sneaky tactics during the investigation, covertly following suspects and gathering evidence without revealing his presence or intentions. He employed disguises, conducted late-night surveillance, and interviewed witnesses under the guise of casual conversation. The objective was to uncover the truth and unveil the culprits without alerting them to his investigative methods. His sneaky approach was necessary to avoid the obstruction of his goal.
• She had a sneaky way of avoiding work, always finding excuses to disappear when a project became challenging. She’d feign illness, claim urgent appointments, or simply slip away unnoticed, leaving others to pick up the slack. While her colleagues were often annoyed by her behavior, they rarely had concrete evidence to confront her. Her sneaky behavior demonstrated her ability to prioritize self-interest above her responsibilities.
• The fox, a master of sneaky maneuvers, managed to steal the farmer's chickens despite all the security measures. It would crawl beneath the fence, wait for opportunities to access the coop undetected and silently slip away with its prey. The fox's sneaky intelligence and resourcefulness made him the nemesis of the farmer and a legend among the other woodland creatures.
• The politician launched a sneaky smear campaign against his opponent, spreading false rumors and damaging information through anonymous sources. This clandestine strategy was designed to tarnish his rival's reputation and sway public opinion, all while maintaining a semblance of plausible deniability. His sneaky tactics, while effective in undermining his opponent, were unethical and compromised the integrity of the political process.