1
as in shady
given to acting in secret and to concealing one's intentions
shifty politicians making deals to channel federal funds into their districts
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in deceptive
given to or marked by cheating and deception
shifty practices such as turning back the odometers on used cars
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of shifty
The King’s Academy forward is shifty, but doesn’t play fast.
—
Nathan Canilao, The Mercury News, 6 Feb. 2025
In an era of big point guards like Luka Dončić, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and James Harden, the smaller, shiftier players like Dillingham are becoming more unique.
—Jon Krawczynski, The Athletic, 23 Jan. 2025
Gor’s mercenaries are soon on their tails, along with MI6, led by Baron (Andrew Scott), a shifty type with a longtime crush on Emily, despite not making it past the first date years earlier.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
To catch the shifty shrew on film for the first time, Vishal Subramanyan, Prakrit Jain and Harper Forbes planned a three-day expedition.
—Sara Hashemi, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shifty
Nathan Canilao, The Mercury News, 6 Feb. 2025
In an era of big point guards like Luka Dončić, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and James Harden, the smaller, shiftier players like Dillingham are becoming more unique.
—Jon Krawczynski, The Athletic, 23 Jan. 2025
Gor’s mercenaries are soon on their tails, along with MI6, led by Baron (Andrew Scott), a shifty type with a longtime crush on Emily, despite not making it past the first date years earlier.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
To catch the shifty shrew on film for the first time, Vishal Subramanyan, Prakrit Jain and Harper Forbes planned a three-day expedition.
—Sara Hashemi, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shifty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shifty
Adjective
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It’s implied that before going into construction, Levon had brought his military training into civilian life in some shady (though likely heroic) capacity or another — maybe even kidnap recovery.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
26 Mar. 2025
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During a recent conversation with legendary radio host Big Boy, the 26-year-old spoke about her haters and shady tension that led to this notion.—
Mya Abraham,
VIBE.com,
25 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Stricter consumer protection laws worldwide mean businesses face mounting scrutiny and potential legal repercussions for deceptive claims.—
Anjali Chaudhry,
Forbes,
23 Mar. 2025
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Issues concerning the scheme arise when the business utilizing it sells the data of consumers without proper consent or for deceptive purposes, as this could violate laws, the company said.—
Jonathan Limehouse,
USA TODAY,
20 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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One was sneaky, shooting around the defending player.—
Omar White,
The Athletic,
21 Mar. 2025
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Read Next Editorials Effort to divide Keller schools was sneaky to the end.—
Elizabeth Campbell,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
15 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Multiple users commented on Joann's latest post about fraudulent websites to criticize the chain's decision about gift cards.—
Taylor Ardrey,
USA TODAY,
19 Mar. 2025
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March 6 Check fraud: The City of Saratoga reported that someone attempted to access government funds with fraudulent checks.—
Anne Gelhaus,
The Mercury News,
14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Tampa Bay is one of the most crooked places in America, according to fraud report data from the Federal Trade Commission.—
Martin Vassolo,
Axios,
20 Mar. 2025
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Talley also said the pathway of the bullet as the pathologist in the case testified disproves any legal theory that Ferguson’s arm was crooked at a 45-degree angle.—
Hetty Chang,
NBC News,
14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Perhaps Simpson’s most dishonest claim was that Social Security’s drafters deliberately set the retirement age at 65 because life expectancy in 1935, at the time of enactment, was 63.—
Michael Hiltzik,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Mar. 2025
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Higher-ups and colleagues see through the charade as dishonest.—
Bryan Robinson,
Forbes,
2 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shifty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shifty. Accessed 3 Apr. 2025.
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