Standard Lemma guide

surreptition

noun · 2 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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  • US: /səˌɹɛpˈtɪʃən/
  • US: /ˌsʌɹəpˈtɪʃən/

1

noun

Meaning 1

The quality of being surreptitious: stealthiness, covertness; surreptitiousness.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: uncountable, usually

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

Subreption (act of obtaining by surprise, or by unfair representation through concealment).

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: uncountable, usually

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Sense 1, at least, is probably a back-formation from surreptitious; for sense 2, compare the cognate synonym subreption.