# sneaking

/ˈsnikɪŋ/ (US) · /snˈiːkɪŋ/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/sneaking
Updated: 2026-05-06

## Definition

a feeling or thought that you have quietly and that grows stronger over time. You use this when you suspect something is true but you are not completely sure yet.

For teachers: describes a persistent, growing, but often unverified feeling or suspicion. Typically used attributively to modify nouns like 'suspicion', 'feeling', or 'doubt'.

## Examples

- I have a sneaking suspicion that she is lying to us.
- Despite the positive reports, the manager had a sneaking feeling that the project would miss its deadline.
- He could not shake the sneaking doubt that his success was due more to his family connections than to his own professional merit.

## Pitfalls

- Not "I am sneaking that he is right" but "I have a sneaking suspicion that he is right" — In this sense, 'sneaking' is an adjective that must modify a noun; it cannot be used as a standalone verb to mean 'suspect'.

## Usage notes

- Almost exclusively used attributively, appearing immediately before the noun it modifies.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.