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furtively vs by stealth

Both 'furtively' and 'by stealth' are correct phrases that convey a sense of secrecy or stealthiness. They can be used interchangeably in sentences where someone is trying to do something in a secretive or sneaky manner.

Last updated: March 22, 2024 • 757 views

furtively

The word 'furtively' is correct and commonly used in English to describe actions done in a secretive or sneaky manner.

It is an adverb that describes how an action is performed in a secretive or sneaky way.

Examples:

He glanced furtively over his shoulder to see if anyone was watching.
She moved furtively through the dark alley, trying to avoid being seen.

Show examples from the web [+]

You don't want a son who spends his life furtively seeking out...
He wiped his nose with one finger, looking around furtively.
Their impact on the environment and on local species and other potential risks resulting from their spread are probably underestimated, as well as their potential to proliferate furtively.
In the midst of the darkness of the night,... ...my eyes made out a human figure furtively entering...
Furtively we'll scoff and quaff Stealing what in truth is mine
The key point is that they do it furtively.
Dangababo, one of his pupils, decided to take a picture of him furtively.
If it wishes to be credible, Parliament has a responsibility to prevent the Non-Proliferation Treaty from being furtively undermined in the harmonization of the common foreign and security policy.
[He was acting rather furtively and had rather a heavy suitcase...] [... concealed beneath his cloak.]
Surely it works against the interests of our producers to propose furtively, in an appendix to the resolution, amendments which penalize European exports in the field of large-scale agriculture and cereals, for the benefit of promotional budgets which are intended to highlight generic products?
In their attempt to escape and ultimately do what they wish, children learn to act secretively and furtively, telling lies.
Mr President, the European Union has, in my country and elsewhere too, a richly deserved reputation for taking its decisions furtively, secretly and surreptitiously.
Last night I furtively spoke to the glass-blowers when the police left.
Once my mother scopr? I did the reeds and prov? various psychological approaches for me to stop but took dell'erba among the jewels and I sometimes furtively it staccavo a small piece and the rimpiazzavo with oregano.
At dead of night have I not often seen you... ...moving furtively and restlessly in the shadows?

Alternatives:

secretly
sneakily
covertly
stealthily
clandestinely

by stealth

The phrase 'by stealth' is correct and can be used to describe actions carried out in a secretive or sneaky manner.

It is a prepositional phrase that indicates the method or manner in which an action is performed secretly.

Examples:

The thief entered the house by stealth, careful not to make any noise.
She achieved her goal by stealth, without anyone noticing her actions.

Show examples from the web [+]

By the way, a few of my colleagues and I are protesting in a statement that the Commission wants to introduce new GMOs to Europe by stealth.
I shall continue to do so because I see this as a dangerous precedent, opening the door to a Europe of the regions by stealth - something I totally reject.
Or, if he do, it needs must be by stealth.
Many of the national immigration policies have in the past been simply conducted by stealth.
You gained entry to the castle by stealth...
You gained entry to the castle by stealth and now you must leave in the same way.
Mr President, I would like to ask Mr Swoboda whether he agrees with the view that the crisis is being used in certain Member States as a tool for relieving citizens of their assets by stealth.
While we are trying to create a common market, we have actually, by stealth, created a common country.
Of the 19 proposals only 3 are of a legislative nature and one of these, the proposal for cross-border health services, introduces the Bolkestein directive by stealth, since it adopts a neoliberal stance.
This is equivalent to acting by stealth, and, to quote Professor von Arnim, a researcher into political parties, to an undercover source of funding that may be turned on at any time at the taxpayer's cost.
It is not acceptable that we should move by stealth to denying citizens their rights as citizens, which citizenship grants them in Europe, by making competition the only measure of service provision.
The answer is "nothing" because there is nothing that can justify your agenda to control the political life of the nations of Europe by stealth, aided and abetted by the Heads of Government of Member States, not least the United Kingdom.
In the United Kingdom, for example, we have had a number of examples of ways in which bypasses around relatively small towns could be said to be linked together to make a motorway by stealth.
Likes to do good by stealth.
Now, if we're going to capture Gaudet alive and get back those uniforms, it'll have to be by stealth.
It is designed to approach by stealth, armed with nuclear warheads.
Subject: Packaging rules and inflation by stealth
In this context the EU is even threatening the Member States with infringement proceedings and there is talk of 'subsidising agriculture by stealth'.
This is about in-house information and not in any way about investment control by stealth.
That is fundamental in moving forward in of the human rights questions raised today and it is even happening almost by stealth.

Alternatives:

furtively
secretly
sneakily
covertly
clandestinely

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