subterraneous
- adjective
- /ˌsʌbtəˈreɪniəs/
- Formal
:
subterráneo
- Her outward kindness masked a subterraneous resentment.
Examples
-
He had a subterraneous agenda that few people understood.
-
Some politicians act out of subterraneous motives not disclosed to the public.
-
Investigators searched for a subterraneous reason behind the sudden resignation.
-
Many secrets lie subterraneous in the depths of history.
-
Her outward kindness masked a subterraneous resentment that few could detect.
-
Investigators searched for a subterraneous reason behind the sudden resignation that was never revealed.
-
Some politicians act out of subterraneous motives, concealing their true intentions from the public.
Synonyms
∞
2.0
Hidden so other people do not know about it
125
1.1
A thing that is not easily seen or found
117
6.8
Done secretly to avoid being seen or known
40
8.2
Kept secret because it is illegal or not allowed
31
7.7
A secret reason behind something
28
6.0
Most people do not know about it
25
6.2
Partly hidden or not said clearly
19
6.3
Acting quietly and secretly to avoid being noticed
13
7.5
People keep it secret from most others to avoid being noticed
9
7.5
Done secretly to hide payments and avoid the law
7
8.5
Done secretly because people would disapprove
6
7.4
Hidden and not openly shown
6
4.2
Hidden so people do not know the true identity or purpose
5
3.7
Hidden so people cannot see it
4
6.8
Hidden so people cannot see the true purpose or meaning
1
7.5
People in power keep it secret to hide a problem
1
7.2
Kept secret from the public, often about meetings or plans
A secret way of doing things to hide small dishonest acts
A fact or plan that is partly secret and known to a few people
Antonyms
How Hidden
- Formal
40
8.2
∞
2.0
- Formal
125
1.1
25
6.2
5
6.1
Surface Forms
Morphology
subterraneous = subterranean (semi-transparent) = sub + terra + ous
The figurative sense 'hidden or concealed' is an extension of the literal 'beneath the earth' sense; the morphological parts are Latinate and only partly obvious to learners.
Etymology
Subterraneous comes from Latin parts sub- 'under' and terra 'earth', and by image it came to mean 'under the surface' or hidden. So a subterraneous feeling or motive is quietly 'under the surface' and not openly shown.