Synonym Chooser

How is the word foxy distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of foxy are artful, crafty, cunning, slick, sly, tricky, and wily. While all these words mean "attaining or seeking to attain one's ends by guileful or devious means," foxy implies a shrewd and wary craftiness usually involving devious dealing.

a foxy publicity man planting stories

When could artful be used to replace foxy?

While the synonyms artful and foxy are close in meaning, artful implies indirectness in dealing and often connotes sophistication or cleverness.

elicited the information by artful questioning

When is it sensible to use crafty instead of foxy?

The words crafty and foxy can be used in similar contexts, but crafty implies cleverness and subtlety of method.

a crafty lefthander

When might cunning be a better fit than foxy?

In some situations, the words cunning and foxy are roughly equivalent. However, cunning suggests the inventive use of sometimes limited intelligence in overreaching or circumventing.

the cunning fox avoided the trap

When can slick be used instead of foxy?

While in some cases nearly identical to foxy, slick emphasizes smoothness and guile.

slick operators selling time-sharing

Where would sly be a reasonable alternative to foxy?

The meanings of sly and foxy largely overlap; however, sly implies furtiveness, lack of candor, and skill in concealing one's aims and methods.

a sly corporate raider

In what contexts can tricky take the place of foxy?

The words tricky and foxy are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, tricky is more likely to suggest shiftiness and unreliability than skill in deception and maneuvering.

a tricky political operative

When would wily be a good substitute for foxy?

The synonyms wily and foxy are sometimes interchangeable, but wily implies skill and deception in maneuvering.

the wily fugitive escaped the posse

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of foxy Thereza Wright-Morris This foxy lady is the wife of Dallas Mavericks power forward and NBA champion Markieff Morris. Victoria Uwumarogie, Essence, 6 June 2024 Richard Linklater directs this foxy caper with buoyant good humor. Stephanie Zacharek, TIME, 2 June 2024 Related posts: - Caturday rib licking - Canis Minor shoots for the sky - A foxy Caturday - Owl be seeing you culture 1 free article left Want More? Phil Plait, Discover Magazine, 7 Aug. 2010 Feeling foxy? Andrea Wurzburger, Peoplemag, 8 Mar. 2023 See all Example Sentences for foxy 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for foxy
Adjective
  • Guests have free access to the hotel’s cute alpine style spa with sauna, steam room and outdoor hot tub.
    Joanne Shurvell, Forbes, 20 Jan. 2025
  • Through cute memes and witty jokes, both groups ridiculed the TikTok ban.
    Jianqing Chen, The Conversation, 19 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • The episode also introduced Andy Garcia as Galino, a powerful and cunning cartel boss.
    Greg Braxton, Los Angeles Times, 12 Jan. 2025
  • Black Friday had become a competitive event requiring planning and cunning to get the good deals first.
    Mary Meehan, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • These subtle forms of communication—often overshadowed by verbal expression—strengthen emotional connections, offer comfort and convey understanding in ways words cannot.
    Mark Travers, Forbes, 25 Jan. 2025
  • For those who don’t mesh with the plum tones of Black Honey can shop Clinique Pink Honey instead, which offers the same sheer wash of color in an even more subtle pink tone.
    Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 25 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near foxy

Cite this Entry

“Foxy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foxy. Accessed 28 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on foxy

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