stealthily

/ˈstelθɪli/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈstelθɪli/ (ame, ipa) · /-thə̇lē How to pronounce stealthily (audio) -li/ (ame, mw)

stealthily — adverb

1. in a way that keeps a movement or action hard to see or hear, usually because so

1.副詞C1
釋義

in a way that keeps a movement or action hard to see or hear, usually because someone is trying to get past another person or animal without being noticed

例句

Daichi moved stealthily past the guard dog and reached the back gate.

stealthily + verb of movement

A fox stepped stealthily through the wet grass behind the chicken shed.

stealthily with careful animal movement

同義詞
  • furtively

    more formal and often suggests guilt or nervousness

  • sneakily

    more informal and often sounds disapproving

  • quietly

    can describe low sound without any attempt to hide

反義詞
  • openly

    in full view, without trying to hide the action

  • noisily

    with enough sound to attract attention

文法句型

stealthily + verb of movement or approach

verb + stealthily + place phrase

用法筆記

Usually describes physical movement or a nearby action that someone is trying to hide from people, animals, or security. The focus is on avoiding detection while the action is happening.

常見錯誤

❌The baby slept stealthily in the car seat.
✅The baby slept quietly in the car seat.
💡'Stealthily' implies deliberate hiding or careful movement, not simply being still or making little noise.

2. in a hidden way that lets an action or change happen before other people realize

2.副詞C1
釋義

in a hidden way that lets an action or change happen before other people realize what is going on

例句

Imran stealthily raised the online price while most buyers were asleep.

stealthily + hidden decision or policy change

Rust stealthily spread across the bike frame during the damp winter.

stealthily with gradual unnoticed spread

同義詞
  • secretly

    broader everyday word for doing something without others knowing

  • quietly

    can mean low-key or without publicity, but not necessarily hidden

  • imperceptibly

    more formal and stresses change too slight to notice

反義詞
  • openly

    done in a way that everyone can see or know

  • publicly

    done with clear public notice rather than in the background

文法句型

stealthily + verb of change or hidden action

verb + stealthily when others do not notice the action

用法筆記

Often describes changes, plans, or hidden activity that people fail to notice until later. Unlike sense 1 ('UNSEEN OR UNHEARD'), the focus is not on quiet movement but on the action staying unnoticed.

常見錯誤

❌The shop stealthily opened at nine every morning.
✅The shop quietly opened at nine every morning.
💡A normal routine is not 'stealthily' unless someone is hiding the action or slipping in a change without notice.