Synonym Chooser

How is the word crafty distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of crafty are artful, cunning, foxy, slick, sly, tricky, and wily. While all these words mean "attaining or seeking to attain one's ends by guileful or devious means," crafty implies cleverness and subtlety of method.

a crafty lefthander

Where would artful be a reasonable alternative to crafty?

The words artful and crafty 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 might cunning be a better fit than crafty?

While in some cases nearly identical to crafty, cunning suggests the inventive use of sometimes limited intelligence in overreaching or circumventing.

the cunning fox avoided the trap

In what contexts can foxy take the place of crafty?

The words foxy and crafty can be used in similar contexts, 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 crafty?

While the synonyms slick and crafty are close in meaning, slick emphasizes smoothness and guile.

slick operators selling time-sharing

When is it sensible to use sly instead of crafty?

The synonyms sly and crafty are sometimes interchangeable, but sly implies furtiveness, lack of candor, and skill in concealing one's aims and methods.

a sly corporate raider

When can tricky be used instead of crafty?

The meanings of tricky and crafty largely overlap; however, 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 crafty?

Although the words wily and crafty have much in common, wily implies skill and deception in maneuvering.

the wily fugitive escaped the posse

Example 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 crafty Another Newsweek report revealed that some pet owners are often surprised by just how crafty their cats can be. Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 9 Feb. 2025 The crafty winger has notched eight goals in 20 games for Barcelona. Julia Ranney, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025 There’s plenty to covet, with crafty minimalism on the rise, from Bode’s crocheted polo to Prada’s macrame bag. Cortne Bonilla, Vogue, 25 Mar. 2025 The crafty Magic forward often relies on his footwork to slice through opposing defenses and attack downhill to get near the basket. Jason Beede, Orlando Sentinel, 10 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for crafty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crafty
Adjective
  • Particularly cunning or politically convenient women have infrequently maneuvered into the halls of power, but these female monarchs have served mostly as short detours during times when a male crown prince was either too young or too weak to stand on his own.
    Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 8 June 2025
  • Anderson stands the original on its head: grooming Liesl as a successor, Zsa-zsa introduces her to a world where cunning and force hold sway.
    Richard Brody, New Yorker, 29 May 2025
Adjective
  • Plus, a slight slit in the legs adds a cute and playful touch.
    Jacquelyn Smith, Parents, 13 June 2025
  • Related Articles Miss Manners: Another mother chided me for group-texting a cute photo.
    Eric Thomas, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Crafty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crafty. Accessed 27 Jun. 2025.

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