What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
peeking
Example
She was caught peeking through the keyhole. [peeking: gerund or present participle]
Example
I couldn't resist peeking at my birthday presents before the party. [peeking: verb]
sneaking
Example
He was caught sneaking out of the house after curfew. [sneaking: gerund or present participle]
Example
She was accused of sneaking snacks into the movie theater. [sneaking: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Peeking is more commonly used than sneaking in everyday language. Peeking is often associated with innocent curiosity or playfulness, while sneaking is more likely to be associated with negative connotations of deceit or wrongdoing.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between peeking and sneaking?
Both peeking and sneaking are informal words and are not typically used in formal contexts.
