Surreptitiously synonym,synonyms of surreptitiously

1. Furtively

Similarities

• “Surreptitiously” and “furtively” both describe actions carried out in a secretive, stealthy, and often sly manner. These words are used when someone wants to avoid being noticed while performing an action. For example, a thief might enter a house surreptitiously or furtively. In both cases, the thief is trying to be as quiet and unobtrusive as possible to avoid detection. Whether we use “surreptitiously” or “furtively,” the underlying meaning of a secretive, stealthy action remains the same.
• Another similarity is that both words can be applied in various contexts, not just limited to illegal or unethical actions. For instance, a child might peek into a birthday gift - wrapped box surreptitiously or furtively, out of curiosity. Here, the child's action is not malicious but is still characterized by the attempt to avoid being seen while doing something. So, both “surreptitiously” and “furtively” can be used to describe a wide range of secretive behaviors, whether they are morally neutral or have more serious implications.

Differences

• “Furtively” often implies a more nervous or furtive - looking quality to the action. When someone acts furtively, their body language, facial expressions, and overall demeanor might give away their secretive intentions. For example, a person trying to eavesdrop on a conversation might look around furtively, darting their eyes from side to side, and perhaps leaning in slightly while trying to appear as if they are not paying attention. The term “furtively” here not only describes the secretive nature of the action but also gives an indication of the person's nervous or sneaky - looking behavior.
• “Surreptitiously,” on the other hand, is a more neutral and general term that simply emphasizes the secretive and stealthy nature of the action without necessarily implying any particular kind of body language or demeanor. It can be used to describe actions that are carried out in a very quiet, unobtrusive, and secretive manner, regardless of how the person looks while doing it. For example, a spy might transmit classified information surreptitiously using a hidden communication device. Here, the focus is on the fact that the spy is doing this in a secretive and stealthy way, without necessarily giving any details about the spy's body language or demeanor. The term “surreptitiously” can be used in a wide range of contexts to simply convey the idea of a secretive and stealthy action, without adding any extra connotations about the person's appearance or behavior while performing the action.

2. Secretly

Similarities

• “Surreptitiously,” “furtively,” and “secretly” all revolve around the concept of doing something without others being aware. They are used to describe actions, events, or situations where there is an intention to keep information or behavior hidden. For example, in a corporate setting, an employee might be planning to leave the company secretly, surreptitiously, or furtively. In all three cases, the employee is trying to avoid letting their colleagues or superiors know about their plans until they are ready to make an official announcement. These words can also be used to describe more innocent or neutral situations. For instance, a couple might be planning a surprise party for a friend secretly, surreptitiously, or furtively. Here, the intention is to keep the party a secret from the friend until the big day, and all three words can be used to convey this sense of secrecy and the attempt to avoid detection.

Differences

• “Secretly” is the most straightforward and general of the three terms. It simply means that something is done in a way that is intended to be hidden from others. It does not carry the same connotations of stealth, nervousness, or furtive - looking behavior as “surreptitiously” and “furtively.” For example, a person might secretly save money from their paycheck each month. Here, the focus is on the fact that the person is doing this in a hidden way, perhaps not telling their family or friends about their savings plan. The term “secretly” does not give any indication of how the person is doing this, whether they are being stealthy or not, or what kind of body language or demeanor they might have while doing it. It simply conveys the idea of something being done in a hidden or secretive way.
• “Surreptitiously,” as previously discussed, emphasizes the secretive and stealthy nature of the action. It implies that the person is making an effort to be quiet, unobtrusive, and avoid detection while performing the action. For example, a journalist might be trying to obtain sensitive information surreptitiously by conducting interviews off - the - record or by using hidden cameras or microphones. Here, the term “surreptitiously” highlights the journalist's attempt to obtain the information in a secretive and stealthy way, without the knowledge or consent of the people involved. It gives an indication that the journalist is being careful and cautious not to be detected while performing these actions.
• “Furtively,” as we know, not only implies a secretive action but also often suggests a nervous or furtive - looking quality to the person's behavior while performing the action. When someone acts furtively, their body language, facial expressions, and overall demeanor might give away their secretive intentions. For example, a person who is trying to steal something from a store might look around furtively, darting their eyes from side to side, and perhaps hunched over slightly while trying to appear as if they are not doing anything wrong. The term “furtively” here not only describes the secretive nature of the action but also gives an indication of the person's nervous or sneaky - looking behavior while performing the action. It suggests that the person is not only trying to be secretive but also that their body language and demeanor might make it easier for others to suspect that they are up to something.