1
as in difficult
requiring exceptional skill or caution in performance or handling
getting the trade unions to go along with the agreement will be a rather dodgy piece of work
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in cunning
clever at attaining one's ends by indirect and often deceptive means
needed a dodgy barrister to get him acquitted of the charge
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in questionable
giving good reason for being doubted, questioned, or challenged
the authenticity of the "lost" Shakespearean sonnet was more than a little dodgy
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dodgy
The diner, Sweet Emily’s, is on the same dodgy street as Lee’s store, Hoot Owls Books.
—
Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 24 Sep. 2025
Whatever, Dever quickly recanted her earlier precise testimony to the FBI about the sinister doings by those two dodgy cops behind Karen Read’s SUV.
—Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 13 Sep. 2025
Workers encourage customers not to abandon ship, but to ask Powell’s about their dodgier policies, and celebrate their good ones.
—Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 9 Sep. 2025
The rapport between these two veteran actors turn what could have been seriously dodgy caricatures into a first-rate double act — think Abbott and Costello with sidecurls and silencers.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 28 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dodgy
Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 24 Sep. 2025
Whatever, Dever quickly recanted her earlier precise testimony to the FBI about the sinister doings by those two dodgy cops behind Karen Read’s SUV.
—Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 13 Sep. 2025
Workers encourage customers not to abandon ship, but to ask Powell’s about their dodgier policies, and celebrate their good ones.
—Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 9 Sep. 2025
The rapport between these two veteran actors turn what could have been seriously dodgy caricatures into a first-rate double act — think Abbott and Costello with sidecurls and silencers.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 28 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dodgy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dodgy
Adjective
-
Business leaders, of course, have their own interests and shareholders to serve, but Democrats can still protect the public interest while giving CEOs a seat at the table to reach pragmatic answers to difficult questions like these.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Time,
13 Jan. 2026
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Activist groups say hundreds of people have been killed, though the true toll remains difficult to verify due to the internet blackout and tight state controls on information.—
Landon Mion,
FOXNews.com,
13 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Varner described the creatures as diabolically cunning, destructive, and nocturnal.—
Paige Williams,
New Yorker,
12 Jan. 2026
-
The show followed Jonathan Pine (Tom Hiddleston), a former British military officer who goes undercover to help take down Richard Roper (Hugh Laurie), a cunning, amoral arms dealer helping to destabilize the Middle East.—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
11 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The ingredient lists are often questionable, loaded with gums, stabilizers, oils, and added sugars that brands throw in to make their products taste and act like real milk.—
Bon Appétit,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
7 Jan. 2026
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Outside of those three young players and Cam Skattebo, Schoen has consistently made questionable decisions since landing in New York and has a 22-45-1 record to show for it.—
Jacob Robinson,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The strategy would give OpenAI a direct hardware presence to complement its software and nearly a billion weekly users of ChatGPT, but faces tough competition from entrenched products without deep operating-system integration.—
Charlie Fink,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
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The marketing and positioning of actresses in their roles is tougher than it’s been in recent years because of the insult machinery of man-boy social media and its echoes across society more widely.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
22 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Ariana Grande made a cute face while taking a pic with Steven Spielberg.—
Stephanie Sengwe,
PEOPLE,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Jump on the trend early with this cute, hands-free Michael Kors crossbody bag.—
Alyssa Morin,
InStyle,
11 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Trump has issued two hundred and twenty-eight executive orders—eight more than in his entire first term and sixty-six more than Joe Biden did in his four years—along with other dubious actions and pronouncements.—
Amy Davidson Sorkin,
New Yorker,
20 Jan. 2026
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And because Western insurers are forbidden from insuring them, tankers often operate with dubious Russian insurance, or no insurance at all.—
The Week UK,
TheWeek,
18 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The commission said the report overlooks other time-sensitive cases that don't require intake appointments.—
Tim McNicholas,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
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Cold conditions may damage or kill sensitive crops, plants, and vegetation if appropriate precautions are not taken.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The slick material keeps chafing to a minimum during workouts, and the brushed inside is so soft against the skin and helps keep cold air out and your body heat in.—
Olivia Dubyak,
InStyle,
8 Jan. 2026
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Between the melting ice under the court and heavy rain Thursday night in Chicago, condensation created a slick and dangerous playing surface.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dodgy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dodgy. Accessed 23 Jan. 2026.
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