crooked 1 of 2

adjective

ˈkru̇-kəd How to pronounce crooked (audio)
Definition of crookednext
1
as in curved
marked by a long series of irregular curves a long, crooked line of people had formed in front of the ticket booth

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2
as in fraudulent
given to or marked by cheating and deception the common belief that gambling casinos are often crooked businesses

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3
as in tilted
inclined or twisted to one side the photo on that wall is crooked

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4
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

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crooked

2 of 2

verb

past tense of crook
1
as in arched
to cause to turn away from a straight line crooked a finger

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2
as in rounded
to turn away from a straight line or course the road suddenly crooked to the left

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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
Its most recognizable feature is a small crooked line of stars led by Hamal, its brightest member. — Jamie Carter, Space.com, 25 Sep. 2026 Hang your porch swing crooked or prop scrap of wood across your windows to make it look boarded up. — Kaitlyn Keegan, Hartford Courant, 14 Sep. 2026
Verb
Two days after the Knicks were booed frequently while trailing by 30 points in the first half of their 114-97 loss to Dallas, the scoreboard was crooked in their favor. — CBS News, 22 Jan. 2026 Her most unusual feature was her teeth, which were crooked in a way that reminded me of a spiral staircase. — Literary Hub, 20 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for crooked
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crooked
  1. curved
  2. fraudulent
  3. tilted
  4. dishonest
  5. arched
  6. twisted
  7. deceptive
  8. uneven
Adjective
  • One contains leather-cutting tools, another curved needles and bits of leather showing the different types of stitching that go into the bags.
    — Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Those influences show up in the residence’s curved architectural details, natural stone, and custom furnishings.
    — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of curved
Adjective
  • Federal authorities said her husband and several other individuals stole millions of dollars from the casino by creating fraudulent credit vouchers.
    — Sergio Candido, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Malek also faces charges for allegedly submitting fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan applications in 2021.
    — Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of fraudulent
Adjective
  • Carl lowers his head like a hitter hit by a pitch, then rouses himself and breaks into a stiff, elderly trot, shooting a salute over at whoever’s inside the tilted little guard hut.
    — George Saunders, New Yorker, 18 Oct. 2026
  • The tilted surfaces were mostly chosen to mimic raindrops in the real world.
    — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of tilted
Adjective
  • The debate also took on an edgy, deeply personal tone, as the candidates repeatedly accused each other of being dishonest or misleading.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The other coach is dishonest and decides to strategically rank their players in a different order.
    — Dana Mackenzie, Scientific American, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of dishonest
Verb
  • But try to go back the other way, the doorway is rectangular rather than arched.
    — Adam Harrington, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026
  • This is the oldest inhabited castle in Scotland, complete with turrets, arched windows and red stone walls.
    — Catherine Garcia, TheWeek, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of arched
Adjective
  • Whether the presentment was fair or not is a legitimate subject for dispute, along with the appeals court’s twisted excuse that the $10 million wasn’t public money to begin with.
    — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026
  • What remained was wreckage — twisted metal, pieces of the balloon — and the smell of something burned.
    — Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of twisted
Adjective
  • But several Theranos staffers and journalists say Holmes was frequently deceptive and would lie repeatedly, especially when confronted with facts.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026
  • California and Hawaii, for example, are two states that have banned sharing deceptive AI content about candidates in the months around an election.
    — Jordi Calvet-Bademunt, The Conversation, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of deceptive
Adjective
  • The brand's signature technology combines a retinoid with lactic acid to smooth fine lines, uneven tone, and rough texture, and its AlphaRet Exfoliating Peel Pads take things a step further.
    — Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 21 Oct. 2026
  • These accounts often waive monthly fees without a minimum balance and offer larger transaction or cash deposit allowances, since nonprofits may see uneven cash flow tied to grant cycles and fundraising.
    — Andreina Rodriguez, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of uneven

Browse Nearby Words

crook
crooked
crookedness
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Cite this Entry

“Crooked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crooked. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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