furtive

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Their celebrations were furtive and short-lived to avoid riot police or other authorities.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 6, 2026

“They’re recovering. They’re aggressive … they’re biting again,” he said, noting that’s a healthy sign for the usually furtive creatures.

From Seattle Times • May 21, 2024

There was no longer any need for a psychopath to be furtive about his dastardly designs.

From Salon • Feb. 19, 2024

Later, in furtive visits to internet cafes, he came across gay romance stories, but they often focused on lives far from his own, featuring closeted white jocks living in snowy towns.

From New York Times • Feb. 17, 2024

For the first time since I’d known him, and with a furtive gesture, he offered me his hand, and I felt the scales on his skin.

From "The Stranger" by Albert Camus