Furtive means secretive or stealthy in behavior, often indicating a hidden or clandestine action. It can refer to something that is done quickly and quietly with an attempt to avoid being seen or caught.
Usage examples
The spy cast a furtive glance around the room before slipping a document into his pocket.
Sarah walked into the kitchen with a furtive expression, carefully hiding the box of cookies behind her back.
The comedian cracked a furtive smile, knowing he had delivered a joke that would push the boundaries of acceptable humor.
The furtive footsteps could be heard outside the door, indicating someone was trying to sneak into the building.
The young girl tried to suppress her furtive giggles during the serious presentation, but her friends sitting beside her couldn't help joining in.
The performances are compelling... lots of furtive glances and strained interaction. (metacritic.com)
They begin a tense series of furtive glances and curt conversations, both enchanted but unwilling to meet the other halfway. (neworleansfilmsociety.org)
Seemingly crafted out of countless late nights spent in furtive dialogue with self, nature and others, the show offers suggestions of urban influences and psychological musings that beautifully coalesce into a hypnotic inner world. (artillerymag.com)