Phrase guide

sneak up

verb · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To approach a person or animal without being seen or heard

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • If you sneak up from behind like that, you'll give me a heart attack!

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To deliver a sudden effect, often unexpectedly and without warning.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • Watch out for that brown liquor. It sneaks up on you quickly.
  • The weekend sneaked up on me.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

advance stealthily or unnoticed

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • Age creeps up on you

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: creep up

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: advance, progress, pass on, move on, march on, go on

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

8 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Cherokee: ᎦᏃᎵ (ganoli) — to sneak up on
  • Chinese Mandarin: 偷偷走近 — to sneak up on
  • German: sich anschleichen — to sneak up on
  • Latin: obrēpō — to sneak up on
  • Latin: subeō — to sneak up on
  • Polish: skradać się — to sneak up on
  • Spanish: acercarse sigilosamente — to sneak up on
  • Ukrainian: підкрадатися (pidkradatysja) — to sneak up on