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 Dewbin Wood Fall Letters Block Set Spell out your love for fall with crafty block letters that make for a small but eye-catching mantel centerpiece. Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Sep. 2025 One of them — the real Boris Berezovsky (Will Keen) — takes Baranov under his wing to help orchestrate the path to power of Putin (Jude Law), a cold, crafty and not-very-marketable former spy who was appointed by Yeltsin to run the FSB (ex-KGB) in 1998. Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 31 Aug. 2025 Pellegrini’s single to left scored Brian Palazzolo, who was beaten by the throw but slid in safely with a crafty slide as his teammates moved into scoring position. Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 21 Aug. 2025 For four quarters, Burton matched Plum – a four-time All-Star and two-time WNBA champion point guard – step for step as the crafty veteran struggled to shake free to the rim. Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 19 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for crafty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crafty
Adjective
  • Bening will costar on the series as Beulah Jackson, who's described as the powerful, cunning, and charming head of a major ranch in Texas.
    Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Joan Silber is a contemporary genius at creating artful stories of a multitude of characters who ricochet in cunning ways, crossing generations and continents.
    Jane Ciabattari September 2, Literary Hub, 2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Ofeefan Long-Sleeve A-Line Ribbed-Knit Mini Dress This mini sweater dress would look cute with a cropped leather jacket and coordinating knee-high boots.
    Emily Weaver, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Ouligay Period Bag My teen and her friends always make sure to keep their period stashes organized in one cute pouch like this black one.
    Jacquelyn Smith, Parents, 6 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Crafty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crafty. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.

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