1
as in cunning
clever at attaining one's ends by indirect and often deceptive means
the movie pairs a sly, dissembling ex-con with an upstanding, straight-arrow cop
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in shady
given to acting in secret and to concealing one's intentions
why, you sly fellow! I had no idea you were planning my birthday party a sly undercover police officer
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in mischievous
tending to or exhibiting reckless playfulness
a sly sense of humor
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sly
That sounded like a sly attempt by the plaintiffs to put more pressure on the red states to make their own case for the wholesale destructiveness of the NIH order, in public.
—
Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 13 Feb. 2025
Under showrunner Rolin Jones, the adaptation of Anne Rice’s novels is richly written, thrillingly inhabited by its cast and so effortlessly funny with a framing device — the interview of the title — that is thick with intrigue and sly comedy.
—Nina Metz, The Mercury News, 31 Dec. 2024
The best part of the sketch isn’t its sly picture of Gen X’s slow fade into conformity, but Jason Sudeikis as the groom’s father who is unironically into the performance.
—Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 11 Feb. 2025
Charlie Shackleton’s sly film Zodiac Killer Project lives inside this conceptual limbo — nebulously sinister and dryly hilarious all at once.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 27 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sly
Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 13 Feb. 2025
Under showrunner Rolin Jones, the adaptation of Anne Rice’s novels is richly written, thrillingly inhabited by its cast and so effortlessly funny with a framing device — the interview of the title — that is thick with intrigue and sly comedy.
—Nina Metz, The Mercury News, 31 Dec. 2024
The best part of the sketch isn’t its sly picture of Gen X’s slow fade into conformity, but Jason Sudeikis as the groom’s father who is unironically into the performance.
—Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 11 Feb. 2025
Charlie Shackleton’s sly film Zodiac Killer Project lives inside this conceptual limbo — nebulously sinister and dryly hilarious all at once.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 27 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sly
Adjective
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Every actor is absolutely perfect in this super-efficient romp, from Cleese’s perfect straight man amidst the chaos, to Curtis’ seductive, cunning femme fatale, to Palin’s stammering, animal-loving hitman whose assassination attempts go disastrously wrong.—
Travis Bean,
Forbes,
22 Mar. 2025
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Their infatuations are challenged by a cunning philosopher who persuades the bros to pretend they’ve been suddenly drafted and to return later in disguise to woo each other’s fiancée.—
Mark Swed,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Mar. 2025
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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For families with mischievous kids, another unit with a more robust child lock, like the Samsung or GE models, would be better.—
Meg St-Esprit,
Bon Appétit,
18 Mar. 2025
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But Kerrygold, the cheese brand, believes that according to Irish folklore, that little pocket was meant to hold cheese and ward off mischievous fairies.—
Jean E. Palmieri,
WWD,
17 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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His rapping has a frail, slithering quality; his vocal tone morphs between cute squeakiness and ragged rottweiler growls.—
Spencer Kornhaber,
The Atlantic,
21 Mar. 2025
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This Mainstays set accomplishes both goals and is so cute for summer.—
Megan Schaltegger,
Travel + Leisure,
21 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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A lot of exposition about the wicked stepmother being done very rapidly here.—
Emma Specter,
Vogue,
21 Mar. 2025
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Steven Lorentz gave his team a 2-1 lead by firing a wicked wrist shot for a short-handed goal in the early third.—
Kevin Papetti,
The Athletic,
20 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The Pre Wash Scalp Oil is also infused with amber, cashmere musk, lemon and mandarin leaving a subtle fragrance that’s equal parts cozy and sparkling.—
Bianca Salonga,
Forbes,
26 Mar. 2025
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In the Hollywood Hills home designed for Netflix executive Peter Friedlander, Gille Mills establishes a subtle, playful sensibility that seeks visual harmony.—
Jessica Ritz,
Architectural Digest,
26 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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On that furtive call with Reacher, Duffy tells him the pickup truck and the Audi Richard Beck’s bodyguard were driving in the same police lot.—
Chris Klimek,
Vulture,
20 Feb. 2025
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This time around, the movements have been more furtive, often taking place at night.—
Melinda Haring,
Foreign Affairs,
19 Nov. 2021
Cite this Entry
“Sly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sly. Accessed 31 Mar. 2025.
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