What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
stealthy
Example
The cat moved stealthily towards the mouse. [stealthily: adverb]
Example
The spy used a stealthy approach to infiltrate the enemy base. [stealthy: adjective]
sneaky
Example
He took a sneaky peek at her diary when she wasn't looking. [sneaky: adjective]
Example
She had a sneaky suspicion that he was lying. [sneaky: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Sneaky is more commonly used than stealthy in everyday language. Sneaky is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while stealthy is less common and often used in more formal or technical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between stealthy and sneaky?
Stealthy is typically associated with a more formal or technical tone, while sneaky is more versatile and can be employed in both formal and informal contexts, allowing it to be used in a wider range of situations.
