Synonyms of crooked

crooked 1 of 2

adjective

ˈkru̇-kəd 

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• curved
• twisted
• winding
• curving
• twisting
• serpentine
• tortuous
• bending
• curled
• sinuous
• devious
• curvy
• jagged
• curling
• windy
• crazy
• zigzag
• spiral
• uneven
• coiled
• spiraling
• indirect
• coiling
• swirling
• circling
• roundabout
• looping
• zigzagging
• circuitous
• wandering
• rambling
• irregular
• corkscrew
• meandering

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• straight
• direct
• linear
• straightaway

2

as in fraudulent

given to or marked by cheating and deception

the common belief that gambling casinos are often crooked businesses

Synonyms & Similar Words

• fraudulent
• deceptive
• shady
• dishonest
• rogue
• bent
• shifty
• duplicitous
• false
• fast
• underhanded
• sharp
• underhand
• treacherous
• unscrupulous
• guileful
• artful
• double-dealing
• deceitful
• unprincipled
• deceiving
• unethical
• cunning
• subtle
• wily
• unconscionable
• slick
• slippery
• crafty
• sly
• delusive
• foxy
• devious
• sneaky
• beguiling
• tricky
• cagey
• insidious
• perfidious
• furtive
• delusory
• deluding
• defrauding
• trickish
• sneaking

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• straight
• honest
• ethical
• upright
• honorable
• decent
• conscientious
• scrupulous
• just
• aboveboard
• straightforward
• forthright

3

as in tilted

inclined or twisted to one side

the photo on that wall is crooked

Synonyms & Similar Words

• tilted
• uneven
• oblique
• lopsided
• skewed
• slanted
• tipping
• slanting
• awry
• cockeyed
• askew
• out of plumb
• distorted
• listing
• pitched
• crazy
• aslant
• slantwise
• off-kilter
• asymmetrical
• atilt
• unbalanced
• unsymmetrical
• contorted
• disordered
• cock-a-hoop
• irregular

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• straight
• level
• regular
• even
• uniform
• orderly
• balanced
• symmetrical
• ordered

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• fraudulent
• dishonest
• false
• deceptive
• deceitful
• misleading
• defrauding
• duplicitous
• double-dealing
• deceiving
• specious
• delusive
• beguiling
• fallacious
• delusory
• spurious
• deluding

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• honest
• truthful
• legitimate
• true
• aboveboard
• valid

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• arched
• hooked
• curved
• twisted
• bent
• bowed
• curled
• turned
• rounded
• swerved
• waved
• weaved
• deflected
• kinked
• swirled
• reflected
• veered
• arced
• warped
• diverted
• incurved
• inflected
• coiled
• entwined
• dented
• sloped
• dimpled
• looped
• twined
• inclined
• spiraled
• wound
• incurvated
• meandered
• enrolled
• declined

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• straightened
• uncurled
• unbent

2

as in rounded

to turn away from a straight line or course

the road suddenly crooked to the left

Synonyms & Similar Words

• curved
• rounded
• bowed
• arched
• bent
• swept
• fell off
• turned
• curled
• arced
• hooked
• swerved
• wheeled
• looped
• trended
• circled
• coiled
• twisted
• spiraled
• wound
• curlicued
• deviated
• veered

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• straightened

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of crooked

Adjective

The rule also failed to tackle all of the ways trusts and other vehicles provide impenetrable secrecy for the wealthy and the crooked alike. — Casey Michel, The Atlantic, 14 Aug. 2026

In Salinger’s narrative, Pencey is plagued by a population of troubled youth, crooked teachers, and spoiled rich kids, a mixture that often begat abuse. — Literary Hub, 10 Aug. 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