1
as in cunning
skill in achieving one's ends through indirect, subtle, or underhanded means
a shady salesman who usually relies on a combination of quick thinking and guile
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in deception
the inclination or practice of misleading others through lies or trickery
a person so full of guile he can't even be trusted to give you the correct time of day
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of guile
The former Watford midfielder brings energy to the press but lacks guile, and with his contract up at the end of the season, the 32-year-old looks like a stop-gap.
—
Patrick Boyland, The Athletic, 22 Jan. 2025
Chelsea are relentless, though, and attack with a mixture of pace, power and guile through their dynamic front three.
—Stuart James, The Athletic, 17 Jan. 2025
The 19-year-old, ranked No. 54 in the world, hammered down 14 aces in an impressively confident display of power and guile in what was by far the biggest moment of his young career.
—Matias Grez, CNN Money, 31 Mar. 2025
But here, Gyllenhaal mesmerizes in a career-best performance that taps into the infinite well of his talent, portraying Iago’s scorching resentment, guile and humor.
—Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for guile
Patrick Boyland, The Athletic, 22 Jan. 2025
Chelsea are relentless, though, and attack with a mixture of pace, power and guile through their dynamic front three.
—Stuart James, The Athletic, 17 Jan. 2025
The 19-year-old, ranked No. 54 in the world, hammered down 14 aces in an impressively confident display of power and guile in what was by far the biggest moment of his young career.
—Matias Grez, CNN Money, 31 Mar. 2025
But here, Gyllenhaal mesmerizes in a career-best performance that taps into the infinite well of his talent, portraying Iago’s scorching resentment, guile and humor.
—Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for guile
Recent Examples of Synonyms for guile
Noun
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Despite being outnumbered 50-to-1 by the Five Families of the Italian mafia, the Westies’ legendary brutality and cunning have given them the leverage necessary to share the spoils through a fragile détente.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
18 Mar. 2025
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Noted for his tenacity and cunning, Khamenei is also a man of conviction, and his hatred for the United States is deeply felt.—
Foreign Affairs,
Foreign Affairs,
25 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The Erosion Of Trust Through Inconsistent Words Many people associate the breakdown of trust with major betrayals like infidelity or deception.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
26 Apr. 2025
-
Warrantless search and seizure, deception, untrammeled use of force.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
25 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Defense attorney Alan Jackson told the jury the collision never happened, and the investigation into Read was riddled with errors, bias, incompetence and deceit from the start.—
N'dea Yancey-Bragg,
USA Today,
24 Apr. 2025
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In economic markets, maintaining a consumer’s freedom of choice requires regulations against coercion and deceit.—
Michael Gregory,
The Conversation,
17 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Republicans defend the changes as necessary to prevent fraud in the petition-gathering process, but bill sponsors said that among hundreds of allegations of petition fraud in 2024, there were 18 arrests.—
Steve Bousquet,
Sun Sentinel,
3 May 2025
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Both were eventually convicted on various counts of wire and securities fraud, as well as money laundering.—
Joe Otterson,
Variety,
2 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Guile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/guile. Accessed 9 May. 2025.
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