covertly
Without being noticed
Covertly means in a hidden or secretive manner, without being observed or detected: The agents covertly monitored his communications.
The word implies deliberate concealment—actions taken covertly are meant to stay hidden from others.
Compare with overtly, its opposite.
Without others' knowledge
- confidentialMeant to stay secret
- privateRestricted to certain parties
- hush-hushHighly confidential matter
- under-the-tableSecret and unofficial
behind-the-scenes · backstairs · off-the-record · unrevealed · undisclosed · classified · restricted · privileged
Moving to avoid detection
- creepingMoving slowly, stealthily
- tiptoeingWalking on foot-fronts
- skulkingMoving furtively, covertly
- lurkingConcealed and watchful
slipping · shadowing · stalking · prowling · gliding · silent · unobtrusive · furtive
Kept out of sight
- veiledConcealed or obscured
- maskedHaving face covered
- cloakedConcealed or covered
- shroudedCovered and hidden
camouflaged · disguised · obscured · concealed · covered · undetected · unseen · unnoticed
Deliberate deception to conceal
- ruseDeliberate act of deception
- pretenseDeceptive outward show
- masqueradeDeceptive act or costume party
- aliasAdopted false name
incognito · false-flag · front · misdirection · feint · smokescreen · disinformation · duplicity
Covert information gatherer
- agentOne who acts independently
- operativeCovert field agent
- infiltrationCovert entry into organization
- intelligenceMental ability, cognitive capacity
counterintelligence · mole · informant · surveillance · wiretap · sleeper · handler · asset
secretly
Without others' knowledge
- confidentialMeant to stay secret
- privateRestricted to certain parties
- hush-hushHighly confidential matter
under-the-table · behind-the-scenes · backstairs · off-the-record · unrevealed · undisclosed · classified · restricted · privileged · sealed
sneaking
Moving to avoid detection
lurking · slipping · shadowing · stalking · prowling · gliding · silent · unobtrusive · furtive · stealthy
hidden
Kept out of sight
shrouded · camouflaged · disguised · obscured · concealed · covered · undetected · unseen · unnoticed · invisible
subterfuge
Deliberate deception to conceal
- ruseDeliberate act of deception
- pretenseDeceptive outward show
- masqueradeDeceptive act or costume party
alias · incognito · false-flag · front · misdirection · feint · smokescreen · disinformation · duplicity · trickery
spy
Covert information gatherer
- agentOne who acts independently
- operativeCovert field agent
- infiltrationCovert entry into organization
intelligence · counterintelligence · mole · informant · surveillance · wiretap · sleeper · handler · asset · reconnaissance
- shady adverbsdishonestly, deceitfully, deceptively, fraudulently, sneakily
covertlyopenly
Without hiding anything
overtly · publicly · visibly · blatantly · conspicuously
covertlyopenly
Without hiding anything
frankly · candidly · honestly · straightforwardly · forthrightly
- covert missionsSecret military or intelligence operations
- covert operationsSecret military or intelligence activities
- covert opsSecret military missions
- covert actionUnacknowledged governmental intervention
- covert surveillanceSecret observation of targets
- covert activitiesSecret actions, hidden involvement