stealth

Meanings

1. 1noununcountable

   Careful, quiet action intended to avoid being seen, heard, or discovered.

   Grammar: No plural; often after by or with: move by stealth.

   Patterns

   • by stealth
   • move with stealth
   • use stealth

   The cat approached the door with stealth.

   They entered by stealth during the quietest hour.

2. 2nounbefore a nouncomputingmilitary

   Use before nouns to describe covert methods, technology, or operations that avoid detection.

   Grammar: Attributive noun; common in compounds like stealth mode and stealth bomber.

   Patterns

   • stealth mode
   • stealth technology
   • stealth attack

   The app runs in stealth mode until you open it.

   Engineers tested materials for a stealth aircraft.

Common combinations

move with stealth

The ranger learned to move with stealth through wet leaves.

by stealth

The plan succeeded by stealth rather than force.

stealth mode

The browser extension switched to stealth mode.

stealth technology

Stealth technology reduces radar detection.

Synonyms and how they differ

secrecy

Secrecy is keeping information hidden; stealth emphasizes physical or operational avoidance of detection.

covertness

Covertness is formal and general; stealth suggests quiet, careful movement.

furtiveness

Furtiveness implies suspicious sneakiness; stealth can be neutral or skilled.

Opposites

Word family

stealthy adjective

Quiet and intended to avoid notice.

stealthily adverb

In a quiet, secretive way.

Commonly confused: stealth or wealth?

Practice

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