crooked 1 of 2

Definition of crookednext
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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

2 of 2

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
Magyar pitched himself as an insider who knows how crooked government works, and therefore knows how to unearth the corrupt practices. Emmet Lyons, CBS News, 13 Apr. 2026 Among gravesites and crooked slabs, this medieval tapestry of bell towers, vaulted corridors, and sacred frescoes whispered tales of faith and persecution. Marlise Kast-Myers, Boston Herald, 12 Apr. 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 When other players noticed the rim was crooked, the Spurs' Jeremy Sochan jumped up and hung on it to try to straighten it out. Matt Young, Houston Chronicle, 20 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for crooked
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crooked
Adjective
  • The headboard shape boasts the same curved ‘wings’ as those high-back chairs.
    Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 10 Apr. 2026
  • The research team also revealed that their strategy is a highly effective approach for improving not only the thermoelectric and mechanical performances of Ag2Se but also its applicability in curved or flexible energy harvesting devices.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • The state agency that oversees Medicaid has been under scrutiny after the discovery of millions of dollars in potentially fraudulent payments.
    Shaun Boyd, CBS News, 17 Apr. 2026
  • The documents describe an elaborate hoax in which the defendants allegedly created fake companies and fraudulent email accounts and driver’s licenses to help fool lenders into loaning them huge sums of money.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • The Escalade also offers a large head up display and a tilted control panel to provide quick access to climate and other functions.
    Scotty Reiss, Parents, 24 Feb. 2026
  • Naturally, Uranus' tilted rotation has a part to play in how auroral activity manifests on the planet.
    Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 24 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Laptop twee tries to pretend those simpler times are accessible, which makes for exaggerated, juvenile glee—a dishonest document of 2026, but a wildly appealing one.
    Samuel Hyland, Pitchfork, 15 Apr. 2026
  • The election took place amid a surge in violent crime and corruption that has fueled widespread discontent among voters, who largely view candidates as dishonest and unprepared for the presidency.
    Franklin Briceño, Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Back on the highway, the rearview mirror showed the clouds had lifted, the waters were still, and a rainbow had arched across the sky.
    Marlise Kast-Myers, Boston Herald, 12 Apr. 2026
  • Sami’s hair and beard were gray, and his thick eyebrows arched over his tired walnut eyes.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 19 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • The twisted brick Blavatnik Building extension has doubled the hanging space and does a nice line in river views from the top floor.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Apr. 2026
  • Out front, the home’s first impression comes from mature olives that make a statement by real provenance — from twisted trunks to branches of green leaves and fruit — not from landscaping-in-a-box.
    David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 11 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • There is a relaxing vibe about Hilton Head, and a lot of wedges in the hands of the best players, both of which can be deceptive.
    ABC News, ABC News, 15 Apr. 2026
  • Anything else amounts to a deceptive user experience that can discourage users from visiting unfamiliar pages in the future.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 14 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • However, boundaries have not been redrawn since the 1971 census, as successive governments delayed the process over concerns about uneven population growth.
    ABC News, ABC News, 16 Apr. 2026
  • Inspired by director Daniel Blake Schwartz’s real-life experiences, this striking debut feature charts the uneven cycles of addiction and recovery among several interconnected lives in Chelsea, Massachusetts with grit and emotional clarity.
    Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 16 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Crooked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crooked. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.

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