crooked

adjective

crook·ed | \ ˈkru̇-kəd

How to pronounce crooked (audio)

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Definition of crooked

1 : not straight a crooked road Your tie is crooked.

2 : dishonest a crooked election crooked politicians

Other Words from crooked Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about crooked

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Examples of crooked in a Sentence

a long, crooked line of people had formed in front of the ticket booth the common belief that gambling casinos are often crooked businesses

Recent Examples on the Web His uniform was half untucked and missing buttons, and his necktie was ripped and crooked. — Luke Mogelson, The New Yorker, "Among the Insurrectionists," 15 Jan. 2021 The crooked recruitment practice is the latest indication that Afghanistan’s security forces have been hollowed out by degrading morale and poor recruitment as Taliban attacks continue at an unrelenting pace across the country. — New York Times, "Inside the Shadowy Militias Luring Unsuspecting Afghans to Fight, or Die," 4 Feb. 2021 This would eliminate the obscenity that is the lame-duck pardon and allow voters the chance to register their disgust when, for example, some famous jock flatters a shallow president into bestowing favor upon his allegedly crooked brother. — Eric Zorn, chicagotribune.com, "Column: The unpardonable reach of the presidential pardon power needs limits," 22 Jan. 2021 Sporting that trademark shock of natural red hair, crooked white smile, and uninhibited confidence, Washington delivered a powerful take on X's story. — Ineye Komonibo, refinery29.com, "My Respectful Thirst For Malcolm X Was Reinforced By One Night In Miami," 17 Jan. 2021 The Department of Justice alone led the world in everything from seizing crooked officials’ assets to cracking down on money-laundering banks abroad. — Casey Michel, The New Republic, "How to Make Kleptocrats Fear America Again," 23 Dec. 2020 In there somewhere is whatever is left of her goofy crooked smile. — George Saunders, The New Yorker, "Ghoul," 2 Nov. 2020 My father was tired of dealing with the Mexican government, which was filled with crooked bureaucrats who always wanted the mordida, the bribe. — Richard A. Marini, ExpressNews.com, "Fond memories and frog legs: New book recalls life at the Cadillac Bar in Nuevo Laredo," 30 Dec. 2020 The indictments told of a drug culture that had taken a deep hold within the sport, with owners chasing big purses and a fear among trainers to hold crooked competitors accountable. — New York Times, "Deep Within Relief Bill, Horse Racing Gets New Tools to Clean Up," 29 Dec. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'crooked.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

24 Feb 2021

Cite this Entry

“Crooked.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crooked. Accessed 5 Mar. 2021.

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More Definitions for crooked

crooked

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of crooked

: not straight : having bends and curves

: not set or placed straight

: not honest

See the full definition for crooked in the English Language Learners Dictionary

crooked

adjective

crook·ed | \ ˈkru̇-kəd

\

Kids Definition of crooked

1 : having bends and curves a crooked path

2 : not set or placed straight The picture is crooked.

3 : dishonest a crooked card game

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