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Synonym Chooser

How is the word sly distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of sly are artful, crafty, cunning, foxy, slick, tricky, and wily. While all these words mean "attaining or seeking to attain one's ends by guileful or devious means," sly implies furtiveness, lack of candor, and skill in concealing one's aims and methods.

a sly corporate raider

Where would artful be a reasonable alternative to sly?

The words artful and sly are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, artful implies indirectness in dealing and often connotes sophistication or cleverness.

elicited the information by artful questioning

When could crafty be used to replace sly?

While in some cases nearly identical to sly, crafty implies cleverness and subtlety of method.

a crafty lefthander

In what contexts can cunning take the place of sly?

While the synonyms cunning and sly are close in meaning, cunning suggests the inventive use of sometimes limited intelligence in overreaching or circumventing.

the cunning fox avoided the trap

When is it sensible to use foxy instead of sly?

The synonyms foxy and sly are sometimes interchangeable, but foxy implies a shrewd and wary craftiness usually involving devious dealing.

a foxy publicity man planting stories

When is slick a more appropriate choice than sly?

In some situations, the words slick and sly are roughly equivalent. However, slick emphasizes smoothness and guile.

slick operators selling time-sharing

When might tricky be a better fit than sly?

Although the words tricky and sly have much in common, 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 sly?

The meanings of wily and sly largely overlap; however, 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 sly The theme is upbeat, but also has a sly quality that captures a certain spirit of the show’s premise: Matlock’s folksy charm may seem harmless, but underestimate him at your peril. Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 24 Oct. 2024 The sly way the blue dot sign refers to an election map without actually showing that map reminded me of my suffrage movement research. Christina Elizabeth Dando, The Conversation, 22 Oct. 2024 Today, her all-female office blends styles, references, and periods in a sly subversion of any one aesthetic, evident in projects in California, Connecticut, and beyond. Katherine McLaughlin, Architectural Digest, 16 Sep. 2024 The wellness industry commonly uses sly marketing to sell products of dubious effectiveness, but there’s something especially unnerving about its attempt to move into the obesity-drug space. Yasmin Tayag, The Atlantic, 16 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for sly 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sly
Adjective
  • Streaming on Netflix netflix Agatha All Along Headed up by WandaVision showrunner Jac Schaeffer, Agatha All Along revisits the nosey neighbor and titular cunning witch (played deliciously by Kathryn Hahn) as she’s knocked out of her trance and seeks to regain her powers.
    Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 21 Sep. 2024
  • Besides being cunning and highly opinionated, Paddy is also rather physically imposing.
    Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Sep. 2024
Adjective
  • To avoid having to go upstairs to a guest room for nap time, the shady privacy of a cabana offers a perfect space for young children (or tired parents) to nap.
    Margaux Lushing, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
  • Yang shared on his Instagram Stories in response to fans who saw it as a shady portrayal.
    Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 3 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • The mission was challenging, and these mischievous little models followed their own dance.
    Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Sep. 2024
  • Ferris Bueller is fun, mischievous, an expert on shortcuts.
    Matt Schubert, The Denver Post, 3 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • The smallest monkey in the world, these cute critters weigh in at just over 4 ounces.
    Allison Futterman, Discover Magazine, 6 Nov. 2024
  • The Boots and Barkley Wave Scratcher ($15) from Target is not as cute, but my cats love it.
    Medea Giordano, WIRED, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • But Gophers receiver Daniel Jackson’s catch in the fourth quarter of the 25-17 win over Illinois on Saturday was sneaky special.
    Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 7 Nov. 2024
  • Peanut’s account boasts over 680,000 followers, but what used to be home to a sneaky little rodent that liked to ride on his owner’s shoulders and invade his bowls of oats is now a stage for mourning, fundraising, and activism following his death.
    Kate Lindsay, Vulture, 4 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • The sextet’s energy was palpable inside the Barclays from beginning to end, as the excited crowd with arms waving saw Dickinson roam the stage and twirl the mike stand; the intensity in his wicked singing had not diminished over the decades.
    David Chiu, Forbes, 3 Nov. 2024
  • Since the fourth generation was unveiled in 2016, annual sales have remained a mystery, a wicked downturn one year, a surprising surge in sales the next year.
    James Raia, The Mercury News, 3 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • But even without winning an Editors' Choice award, the 14-inch M4 MacBook Pro commands attention with some subtle new features.
    Brian Westover, PCMAG, 7 Nov. 2024
  • The puzzle challenges players to group words based on subtle links, combining logic with language skills.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Tracking helped to transform a small, furtive ape into a global force.
    Ben Goldfarb, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Oct. 2024
  • With his floppy auburn hair, David oozed charisma despite seeming furtive, somewhat ill-at-ease, and in a hurry.
    Mattha Busby, Rolling Stone, 14 Aug. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near sly

Cite this Entry

“Sly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sly. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

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