crooked 1 of 2

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as in dishonest
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

crooked

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verb

past tense of crook

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 crooked
Adjective
Also endangering the family name and business is a crooked deal made by Byron Hedges (Jack Gleeson), an illegitimate cousin helping Guinness expand into America, that promises 15% of all American profits to the Fenian Brotherhood. Lynsey Eidell, PEOPLE, 27 Sep. 2025 The family had no money for doctors, and the arm healed crooked, forever limiting his reach and range of motion. Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2025 Both are as crooked as snakes in a hurry. Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 13 Sep. 2025 For a Chicago Cubs lineup that has struggled lately to consistently score runs, let alone put up a crooked number, Friday’s opener against the Colorado Rockies provided the ideal bounce-back environment coming off the sweep in San Francisco. Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 30 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for crooked
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crooked
Adjective
  • According to archaeologists, these ancient farmers piled up stones and soil to form a body, pincers, and a curved tail with a stinger.
    Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 11 Oct. 2025
  • Umbra’s Scandi-style pieces with curved edges—bookshelves, side tables—are often designated as Amazon’s Choice picks.
    Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • In audits by Guardio, Comet was tricked into making fraudulent purchases from fake sites—completing entire checkout flows without human verification.
    Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2025
  • Today’s legislation protects both animals and Californians by addressing fraudulent pet breeding and selling practices.
    Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The winter solstice is the start of astronomical winter, when Earth's northern hemisphere is pointed the farthest away from the sun due to its tilted axis.
    Sarah Moore, Freep.com, 9 Oct. 2025
  • Holly, who did not share her last name, posed in the familiar tourist style—appearing to hold up the tilted tower.
    Soo Kim, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Matthiessen, not without reason, portrays the Bureau as paranoid, dishonest, and in league with corporate interests.
    Maggie Doherty, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2025
  • For that incredibly dishonest assessment that actually did a disservice to the country, Obama is held up to widespread praise by Democrats and others, even winning the Nobel Peace Prize in 2009.
    Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald, 11 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Upstairs, the loft-style rooms are decked out in designer furniture (specifically, Eames and Bertoia chairs), arched French windows, and polished concrete floors.
    Siobhan Reid, Vogue, 10 Oct. 2025
  • Such ambiguity works to the film’s advantage, as Leonberg focuses on Indy’s face and lets audiences project our own feelings onto the cocked head, the questioning expression, his brows arched in either curiosity or concern.
    Peter Debruge, Variety, 3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • To be sure, the brand is known for the Létrange Empreinte bag and its sculptural twisted handle, that was originally intended to be a jewel itself before creative director Mathias Jaquemet put it on the leather accessory.
    Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 10 Oct. 2025
  • In the 2018-19 school year, parents reported 42 cases of children suffering twisted ankles and other injuries caused by uneven surfaces, deep divots and other hazards on the field.
    Ashley Mackin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • State legislators and attorneys general should examine whether certain practices violate existing rules against unfair or deceptive trade practices.
    Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
  • Barrera plays Michelle, a deceptive character who will keep everyone guessing.
    Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 12 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • After years of uneven results, prospects at main camp gave an indication that this season might be different.
    Allan Mitchell, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
  • Geographic and demographic disparities The uneven distribution of EV charging infrastructure is a huge challenge.
    Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Crooked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crooked. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.

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