crooked 1 of 3

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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

crookedness

2 of 3

noun

crooked

3 of 3

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
This improper tooth eruption can affect both children and adults, and result in impactions and crooked teeth. Lana Barhum, Verywell Health, 20 June 2025 What Pete Rose did was selfish, illicit, shameful, crooked. John Nogowski, Hartford Courant, 14 May 2025 Meanwhile, a crooked wayfarer named St. Christophe (Jackson) is hot on Broadway’s trail, catching up with the young man and revealing that his dead dad wasn’t, in fact, a stand-up guy. Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 11 June 2025 From viral LinkedIn mantras to inspirational TED Talks, authenticity is praised as the antidote to crooked leaders, political doublespeak, and robotic managerialism, not to mention phony politicians. Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, Forbes.com, 9 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for crooked
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crooked
Adjective
  • Why Amazon Prime Day scammers are winning and how to stay ahead While Amazon hasn't released a formal statement yet, the company maintains ongoing efforts to detect and remove fraudulent listings and suspicious domains.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 5 July 2025
  • Republished on July 4 with further police and federal agency warnings that fraudulent callers are now targeting smartphone users in the U.S. This is not the FBI.
    Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 4 July 2025
Adjective
  • According to Orly Mazur, a tax specialist and associate professor at SMU Dedman School of Law, more people are likely willing to risk being dishonest when filing taxes.
    Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
  • And worse yet, someone might be dishonest with you.
    Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 23 June 2025
Noun
  • This deception couldn’t come at a worse time for America’s debt.
    Thomas Kahn, Chicago Tribune, 8 July 2025
  • Unlike earlier studies that uncovered evasion or deception, this research exposed a more alarming phenomenon: models calculating that unethical behavior was a justifiable strategy for survival.
    Hamilton Mann, Forbes.com, 29 June 2025
Adjective
  • Dexter unknowingly steps into a Gotham-like serial-killer universe led by twisted billionaire venture capitalist Leon Prater (Peter Dinklage) and his chief of security, Charley (Uma Thurman).
    Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 12 July 2025
  • Jeans with twisted seams, pleating, high waists and deep contrasting cuffs laid the foundation to looks that include damask blazers and shirts featuring paintings by Edvard Munch and Elizabeth Peyton.
    Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 9 July 2025
Adjective
  • The suit alleges excessive fees resulting in high annual percentage rates, deceptive tipping practices and misleading consumers about the voluntary nature of fees.
    AJ Dhaliwal, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025
  • Mayes seeks to dissolve both companies, citing violations of the Arizona Consumer Fraud Act and deceptive practices targeting underage customers.
    Jose R. Gonzalez, AZCentral.com, 9 July 2025
Adjective
  • The pandemic may have accelerated long-standing public health challenges, and the recovery, the study makes clear, has been uneven and incomplete.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2025
  • Spongy or uneven surfaces are caused by structural weakening from internal damage.
    Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 July 2025
Adjective
  • His claims are false and do not reflect accountability for the impact of his actions on the community.
    Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 3 July 2025
  • The Department of Homeland Security said in a statement that the claims are false.
    Alicia Victoria Lozano, NBC news, 3 July 2025
Noun
  • When confronted, deceit turns their romantic evening into a darkly comedic nightmare.
    Matthew Carey, Deadline, 25 June 2025
  • The nation has now paid a steep price for its deceit and deception.
    Editorial, Boston Herald, 18 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Crooked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crooked. Accessed 16 Jul. 2025.

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