What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
surreptitiously
Example
He surreptitiously took a cookie from the jar when no one was looking. [surreptitiously: adverb]
Example
She made a surreptitious glance at her phone during the meeting. [surreptitious: adjective]
stealthily
Example
The cat moved stealthily through the house, trying not to wake anyone up. [stealthily: adverb]
Example
The spy entered the building stealthily, avoiding the security cameras. [stealthy: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Surreptitiously is less common than stealthily in everyday language. Surreptitiously is more commonly used in formal writing or speech, while stealthily is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between surreptitiously and stealthily?
Surreptitiously is typically associated with a more formal tone, while stealthily is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
