What Is Another Way to Say “Sneaky”?

Looking for synonyms for sneaky? We’ve got you covered!

Here’s a list of other ways to say sneaky.

  • Underhanded
  • Sly
  • Crafty
  • Cunning
  • Devious
  • Covert
  • Stealthy
  • Furtive
  • Shifty
  • Guileful
  • Wily
  • Tricky
  • Duplicitous
  • Secretive
  • Dishonest
  • Artful
  • Disguised
  • Foxy
  • Subtle
  • Deceitful

Want to learn how to say sneaky professionally? Keep reading for examples and use cases.

1. Underhanded

Appropriate use: Acting or done in a secret or dishonest way.
Example: “The underhanded tactics employed in the company’s dealings were eventually scrutinized.”

2. Sly

Appropriate use: Having or showing a cunning and deceitful nature.
Example: “He used sly methods to bypass company protocols.”

3. Crafty

Appropriate use: Skilled in deception.
Example: “Her crafty negotiation strategies often gave her an upper hand.”

4. Cunning

Appropriate use: Having or showing skill in achieving one’s ends by deceit.
Example: “The manager was known for his cunning ability to manipulate market trends.”

5. Devious

Appropriate use: Showing a skillful use of underhanded tactics to achieve goals.
Example: “The devious scheme to undermine the competitor was eventually discovered.”

6. Covert

Appropriate use: Not openly acknowledged or displayed.
Example: “The company engaged in covert operations to acquire trade secrets.”

7. Stealthy

Appropriate use: Behaving, done, or made in a cautious and surreptitious manner.
Example: “The stealthy approach to the product launch took the industry by surprise.”

8. Furtive

Appropriate use: Attempting to avoid notice or attention due to guilt or belief that discovery would lead to trouble.
Example: “His furtive glances during the meeting raised suspicion.”

9. Shifty

Appropriate use: Appearing deceitful or evasive.
Example: “The shifty responses from the team lead raised doubts about the project’s progress.”

10. Guileful

Appropriate use: Deceitfully cunning.
Example: “The executive’s guileful tactics in contract negotiations were notorious.”

11. Wily

Appropriate use: Skilled at gaining an advantage, particularly deceitfully.
Example: “Her wily approach to problem-solving was both admired and feared.”

12. Tricky

Appropriate use: Requiring care and skill because difficult or awkward.
Example: “Navigating the tricky legal situation required a skilled attorney.”

13. Duplicitous

Appropriate use: Deceitful; acting in two different ways for the purpose of deception.
Example: “The duplicitous nature of the company’s marketing strategy led to consumer mistrust.”

14. Secretive

Appropriate use: Inclined to conceal feelings and intentions or not to disclose information.
Example: “The secretive development of the new technology was meant to avoid leaks.”

15. Dishonest

Appropriate use: Behaving or prone to behave in an untrustworthy or fraudulent way.
Example: “Dishonest reporting of financial data led to a scandal.”

16. Artful

Appropriate use: Clever or skillful, especially in a crafty way.
Example: “He was artful in the way he maneuvered through corporate politics.”

17. Disguised

Appropriate use: Giving a false appearance in order to conceal facts or intentions.
Example: “The disguised message in the email was meant to mislead the recipients.”

18. Foxy

Appropriate use: Cunning or sly.
Example: “Her foxy tactics in negotiations often caught her opponents off guard.”

19. Subtle

Appropriate use: So delicate or precise as to be difficult to analyze or describe.
Example: “The subtle manipulation of stock prices was later investigated.”

20. Deceitful

Appropriate use: Guilty of or involving deceit; deceiving or misleading others.
Example: “The deceitful actions of the sales team led to a lawsuit.”

Linda Brown