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.

In Obeid, capital of North Kordofan, near-daily drone barrages have imposed a furtive rhythm to residents’ lives, making every trip to the market, school, health clinic or a relative’s home a gamble.

From Los Angeles Times • May 24, 2026

As the temperature heads below freezing, powerful pyrotechnics light up the sky and Tennant does indeed stand in a bush looking furtive, as promised.

From BBC • May 13, 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

Bobcats—admittedly much smaller creatures than mountain lions—are known to exist in considerable numbers and yet are so shy and furtive that you would never guess their existence.

From "A Walk in the Woods" by Bill Bryson