surreptitious
/ˌsɝːrəpˈtɪʃəs/
Done secretly, especially because it would not be approved of.
Example
The journalist obtained a surreptitious recording of the private meeting.
Description
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Most common C2 words · 8
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Vocabulary in this set
Learn high-frequency C2 words for everyday understanding and conversation.
surreptitious
Word/ˌsɝːrəpˈtɪʃəs/
Done secretly, especially because it would not be approved of.
The journalist obtained a surreptitious recording of the private meeting.
taciturn
Word/ˈtæsɪˌtɝːn/
Speaking very little and appearing naturally reserved.
The usually taciturn engineer surprised everyone with a lengthy presentation.
tenuous
Word/ˈtɛnjuəs/
Very weak, slight or uncertain.
The prosecution's case depended on a tenuous link between the two events.
trenchant
Word/ˈtrɛntʃənt/
Expressed clearly, forcefully and effectively.
Her trenchant critique exposed several contradictions in the policy.
ubiquitous
Word/juːˈbɪkwɪtəs/
Present or appearing everywhere.
Smartphones have become ubiquitous in modern urban life.
unequivocal
Word/ˌʌnɪˈkwɪvəkəl/
Completely clear and leaving no room for doubt.
The court issued an unequivocal rejection of the claim.
vacillate
Word/ˈvæsəˌleɪt/
To repeatedly change between different opinions or choices.
The board continued to vacillate between expansion and consolidation.
vehement
Word/ˈviːəmənt/
Showing very strong feeling or force.
Residents voiced vehement opposition to the proposed development.
vindicate
Word/ˈvɪndɪˌkeɪt/
To prove that someone or something was right, justified or not guilty.
The later evidence appeared to vindicate her original decision.
vitriolic
Word/ˌvɪtriˈɑːlɪk/
Filled with bitter criticism or malice.
The debate deteriorated into a vitriolic exchange of personal attacks.