Entry Word: crooked

Function: adjective

Meaning: 1 marked by a long series of irregular curves <a long, crooked line of people had formed in front of the ticket booth>

Synonyms bending, curled, curling, curved, curving, devious, serpentine, sinuous, tortuous, twisted, twisting, winding

Related Words zigzag, zigzagging; circling, coiled, coiling, corkscrew, looping, spiral, spiraling (or spiralling), swirling; circuitous, indirect, roundabout; meandering, rambling, wandering

Near Antonyms direct, linear

Antonyms straight, straightaway

2 given to or marked by cheating and deception <the common belief that gambling casinos are often crooked businesses> — see dishonest 2
3 inclined or twisted to one side <the photo on that wall is crooked> — see awry
4 marked by, based on, or done by the use of dishonest methods to acquire something of value <a crooked scheme to bill the government for medical services never performed> — see fraudulent 1