1
as in cunning
clever at attaining one's ends by indirect and often deceptive means
tried to fix the game with a guileful plot to sabotage the other team's bats, but the umpire caught them
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in deceptive
given to or marked by cheating and deception
received a guileful answer when I asked the dealer if the used car had ever been in a collision
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for guileful
Adjective
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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
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Doing so could constitute a deceptive trade practice, and the Colorado Attorney General’s Office or local district attorneys could then investigate to determine the cause of the price hike.—
Seth Klamann,
The Denver Post,
20 Jan. 2025
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The 81-page federal complaint charging Universal Music Group with defamation, harassment and payola (deceptive business practices) is a page-turner that seems penned more for press and public consumption (and perhaps label renegotiation) than judicial inspection.—
Bill Hochberg,
Forbes,
17 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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How to Mix Metals in Your Home: 5 Tips to Decorate With Metals Flawlessly Bring on the Stripes Stripes are undeniably a big part of the fisherman aesthetic, but don’t get cute about it, warns Jahan.—
Cori Sears,
Better Homes & Gardens,
1 Feb. 2025
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Kids' Beaded Star Bracelet $10 Nordstrom Valentine’s Day is synonymous with jewelry gifts, so start your little one early with this cute stretch bracelet from CHARM IT!—
Madeleine Bokan Thares,
Glamour,
31 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Wakefield’s research was found to be fraudulent and conducted with money from lawyers suing vaccine manufacturers; he was stripped of his medical license.—
Eleanor Menzin,
TIME,
30 Jan. 2025
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The treasure trove of information is valuable to scammers who want to open a fraudulent credit card or account in your name.—
Ken Alltucker,
USA TODAY,
29 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The quiet luxury aesthetic requires a bit more effort than its name suggests: This trend in decor—particularly with paint colors—is all about giving off subtle sophistication.—
Kristine Gill,
Better Homes & Gardens,
25 Jan. 2025
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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
Adjective
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Doe is strictly instructed by Muna not to answer her phone, while arrangements to meet a stranger on the other side to continue their journey sound shady enough even before the man fails to show up.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
25 Jan. 2025
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To accomplish these goals, Peter had to bend his principles, including lying to Noor, an idealistic young staffer at the Iranian UN mission, about the fate of her brother and allying with a shady businessman, Jacob Monroe.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
24 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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When the speedboat neared the pearly shore, a crooked line of hotel staff dressed in white and navy began to wave.—
Mary Holland,
Robb Report,
20 Jan. 2025
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Nothing could measure up to all that crooked darkness.—
Sam Thielman,
New York Times,
20 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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However, officials may well be hoping that a high-profile prosecution would help to restore public trust by showing the authority's determination to root out dishonest officers.—
Barbara A. Perry,
Newsweek,
28 Jan. 2025
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People are less inclined to engage in dishonest behavior when they are treated fairly, compensated properly and see themselves as integral to the company’s mission.—
Toby Braun,
Forbes,
2 Jan. 2025
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Thesaurus Entries Near guileful
Cite this Entry
“Guileful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/guileful. Accessed 5 Feb. 2025.
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