adjective Uncommon

sneaking

Sneaking (adjective) means Held privately or quietly, without being openly admitted — often used for a feeling or suspicion. Example: “She had a sneaking suspicion he was lying.”

adjective

Held privately or quietly, without being openly admitted — often used for a feeling or suspicion.

"She had a sneaking suspicion he was lying."

"I have a sneaking admiration for how bold he was."

How to use sneaking

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA quiet, half-hidden feeling you have but might not say out loud.

Common pairings

a sneaking suspicion a sneaking feeling a sneaking admiration

Word forms

more sneaking comparative, sneakings plural, most sneaking superlative

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She had a _____ suspicion he was lying.

Rhymes for sneaking

baking making waking taking faking raking shaking leaking quaking soaking braking staking

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Frequently asked questions

What does “sneaking” mean?

The word “sneaking” means held privately or quietly, without being openly admitted — often used for a feeling or suspicion. In plain terms, a quiet, half-hidden feeling you have but might not say out loud.

How do you use “sneaking” in a sentence?

Here is “sneaking” used in a sentence: “She had a sneaking suspicion he was lying.”

What part of speech is “sneaking”?

“Sneaking” is an adjective.

Is “sneaking” a common word?

“Sneaking” is an uncommon word in modern English.