ON THE SLY Synonyms: 203 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'sly' distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of sly are artful , crafty , cunning , foxy , slick , tricky , and wily . While all these words mean "attaining or seeking to attain one's ends by guileful or devious means," sly implies furtiveness, lack of candor, and skill in concealing one's aims and methods. // a sly corporate raider

Q: Where would 'artful' be a reasonable alternative to 'sly'?

The words artful and sly are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, artful implies indirectness in dealing and often connotes sophistication or cleverness. // elicited the information by artful questioning

Q: When could 'crafty' be used to replace 'sly'?

While in some cases nearly identical to sly , crafty implies cleverness and subtlety of method. // a crafty lefthander

Q: In what contexts can 'cunning' take the place of 'sly'?

While the synonyms cunning and sly are close in meaning, cunning suggests the inventive use of sometimes limited intelligence in overreaching or circumventing. // the cunning fox avoided the trap

Q: When is it sensible to use 'foxy' instead of 'sly'?

The synonyms foxy and sly are sometimes interchangeable, but foxy implies a shrewd and wary craftiness usually involving devious dealing. // a foxy publicity man planting stories

Q: When is 'slick' a more appropriate choice than 'sly'?

In some situations, the words slick and sly are roughly equivalent. However, slick emphasizes smoothness and guile. // slick operators selling time-sharing

Q: When might 'tricky' be a better fit than 'sly'?

Although the words tricky and sly have much in common, tricky is more likely to suggest shiftiness and unreliability than skill in deception and maneuvering. // a tricky political operative

Q: When would 'wily' be a good substitute for 'sly'?

The meanings of wily and sly largely overlap; however, wily implies skill and deception in maneuvering. // the wily fugitive escaped the posse

sly 1 of 2

adjective

ˈslī

Definition of sly next

as in cunning

clever at attaining one's ends by indirect and often deceptive means the movie pairs a sly, dissembling ex-con with an upstanding, straight-arrow cop

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in shady

given to acting in secret and to concealing one's intentions why, you sly fellow! I had no idea you were planning my birthday party a sly undercover police officer

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in mischievous

tending to or exhibiting reckless playfulness a sly sense of humor

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

slyness

2 of 2

noun

as in subtlety

skill in achieving one's ends through indirect, subtle, or underhanded means the slyness with which the FBI agent infiltrated the subversive organization without their knowledge was indeed impressive

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word sly distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of sly are artful, crafty, cunning, foxy, slick, tricky, and wily. While all these words mean "attaining or seeking to attain one's ends by guileful or devious means," sly implies furtiveness, lack of candor, and skill in concealing one's aims and methods.

a sly corporate raider

Where would artful be a reasonable alternative to sly?

The words artful and sly are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, artful implies indirectness in dealing and often connotes sophistication or cleverness.

elicited the information by artful questioning

When could crafty be used to replace sly?

While in some cases nearly identical to sly, crafty implies cleverness and subtlety of method.

a crafty lefthander

In what contexts can cunning take the place of sly?

While the synonyms cunning and sly are close in meaning, cunning suggests the inventive use of sometimes limited intelligence in overreaching or circumventing.

the cunning fox avoided the trap

When is it sensible to use foxy instead of sly?

The synonyms foxy and sly are sometimes interchangeable, but foxy implies a shrewd and wary craftiness usually involving devious dealing.

a foxy publicity man planting stories

When is slick a more appropriate choice than sly?

In some situations, the words slick and sly are roughly equivalent. However, slick emphasizes smoothness and guile.

slick operators selling time-sharing

When might tricky be a better fit than sly?

Although the words tricky and sly have much in common, tricky is more likely to suggest shiftiness and unreliability than skill in deception and maneuvering.

a tricky political operative

When would wily be a good substitute for sly?

The meanings of wily and sly largely overlap; however, wily implies skill and deception in maneuvering.

the wily fugitive escaped the posse

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 sly

Adjective

The man’s still handsome, laid back, intellectual and gives a sly smile here and there. —

James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2026 The stage seems set for a solemn farewell—the first in a series of sly indirections. —

Giles Harvey, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026

Noun

The harp is not an instrument of slyness, wryness, or the earth. —

Emma Madden, Pitchfork, 28 Apr. 2026 Like the tricksters of myth, there’s depth to their slyness. —

Big Think, 5 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sly

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sly

Adjective

There’s arguably no one better placed to collaborate with VFX artists on a motion-capture performance than Serkis, who’s delivered innocence, cunning, cruelty, longing, and kindness in roles that run from Golum to Caesar to King Kong himself.

— Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 4 May 2026
As Michael moves into solo stardom and makes cunning business moves, the film captures how his seemingly naive idealism was also a form of ambition.

— Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 24 Apr. 2026