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
Resurrection Dex’s Resurrection is an uncomfortably honest and self-critical mixtape about the British rapper attempting to reform his crooked ways. — Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 17 July 2026 Whitehead, meanwhile, crystalizes his sense of what makes the city run, where Carney fits in, and how the straight and crooked worlds are entwined in one strange ecosystem with laws that only the lawless can enforce. — David Hajdu, The Atlantic, 16 July 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
  • The design wows with airy lounges, plush seating nooks, chrome finishes, curved contemporary furnishings and floor-to-ceiling glass with jaw-dropping vistas at every turn.
    — Stephanie Orma, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Featuring an ergonomic curved design, this support pillow is made for those who spend a lot of time sitting in the car.
    — BestReviews, Mercury News, 31 July 2026
Definition of curved
Adjective
  • Section 548 in general states the bankruptcy law on fraudulent transfers.
    — Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Hatagan’s testimony at his sentencing undid the fraudulent invoices claim presented by prosecutors and that statute of limitations began when the alleged crime occurred, the motion stated.
    — Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of fraudulent
Adjective
  • Compared with tilted plastic rafts used in warmer climates, this design attaches flexible solar panels directly to thick, waterproof foam sheets, reducing wind exposure.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 16 June 2026
  • Citi maintained that risks to oil prices remain tilted to the upside, as Iran retains significant control over the timing and terms of any potential agreement to reopen the critical Strait of Hormuz energy route.
    — Sam Meredith,Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 10 May 2026
Definition of tilted
Adjective
  • There is an endless list of important takeaways from the new information, notably that Fauci was repeatedly and purposefully dishonest in order to get the public to comply with his policies and recommendations.
    — Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 28 July 2026
  • But 52% of employees in that same study believe their company's efforts to be empathetic are dishonest.
    — Dennis Kozak, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
Definition of dishonest
Verb
  • The opening installation unfolds in a cornucopia of mezzanines, double-height caverns, walkways, and arched windows that give on to the street.
    — Justin Davidson, Curbed, 29 July 2026
  • The ceiling is arched and lined with skylights to allow for light in walkway.
    — Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 13 July 2026
Definition of arched
Adjective
  • While the wrecks become partially visible during previous dry summers, this year’s drought has exposed far more of the vessels, revealing twisted hulls, decks, and steel structures that have remained underwater for decades.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Laying it horizontally allows the roots to naturally grow downward and the stem to grow upward without getting trapped or twisted.
    — SJ McShane, Martha Stewart, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of twisted
Adjective
  • The county attorney presented a plan to sue several big pharma companies for the deceptive marketing practices that triggered the opioid epidemic, following the pattern established by lawsuits filed against tobacco companies starting in the 1990s.
    — Guthrie Scrimgeour, Rolling Stone, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Outside companies can test systems for cybersecurity risks, deceptive behavior, privacy failures, bias and dangerous capabilities.
    — Gerui Wang, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of deceptive
Adjective
  • Mynatt says that tamping too lightly, unevenly, or inconsistently leads to uneven water flow (called channeling).
    — Better Homes & Gardens, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Aug. 2026
  • That was to avoid both leagues having 15 apiece and with uneven teams every day on the schedule having one team idle.
    — Chuck Murr, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 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 8 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of crooked for Spanish Speakers

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