What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
subreptitious
Example
The subreptitious theft of the documents went unnoticed until it was too late. [subreptitious: adjective]
Example
He made a subreptitious attempt to take credit for her work. [subreptitiously: adverb]
surreptitious
Example
She took a surreptitious glance at her phone during the meeting. [surreptitious: adjective]
Example
He surreptitiously slipped the note into her pocket. [surreptitiously: adverb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Surreptitious is more commonly used than subreptitious in everyday language. Surreptitious is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while subreptitious is less common and has a more specific usage.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between subreptitious and surreptitious?
Both subreptitious and surreptitious are formal words that are typically used in written or academic contexts. However, surreptitious is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
