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View synonyms for furtively

furtively

[ fur-tiv-lee ]

adverb

  1. in a surreptitious, secret, or stealthy way:

    For decades, people living under Soviet censorship listened furtively to the news from the free world beamed by Radio Free Europe or the Voice of America.

    Moonshine is untaxed liquor, furtively produced by the light of the moon—or at least out of the immediate reach of law enforcement.

  2. in a sly or shifty way:

    In the next scene, he darts furtively into a pharmacy storeroom to steal poison.



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Word History and Origins

Origin of furtively1

First recorded in 1490–1500; furtive ( def ) + -ly ( def )

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Example Sentences

Afterward, Oswald develops the photographs at his job, furtively.

The appeal: they are “judgment-free zones where the like-minded can mingle freely and furtively.”

On the night of Feb. 11, 2011, Sherif Mansour walked onto his balcony, furtively lit a cigarette, and began to cry.

Schon, Michaele once furtively told me, was one of the true loves of her life.

“I think people are furtively hoping that Hillary runs,” she said.

Brisley and Gunn, standing very close together on the bottom step of the stair to the third floor, watched the police furtively.

On calm days there came sinister vessels that sneaked furtively among the fleet.

Her eyes, veiled behind the long lashes of their drooping lids, followed him furtively.

Cash would sit and watch him furtively; but Bud was too engrossed with his own misery to notice it.

Professor Theobald looked furtively round, as if seeking some one, or watching the effect of his conduct on Mrs. Temperley.

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furtiveFurtwängler