1
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
2
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in mischievous
tending to or exhibiting reckless playfulness
a sly sense of humor
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sly
IEEE Spectrum, 21 Apr. 2025
Each plays a role in fooling their foe, who captures the turtle, while the deer, heeding the turtle’s good counsel, manages a sly escape.
—John Nemec, The Conversation, 7 Apr. 2025
Here are six real books coming out this week, with dust jackets that reflect their real contents: mysteries and mishaps, often told with a sly smirk.
—Colin Dwyer, NPR, 1 Apr. 2025
In a perfectly coifed wig, with a sly smile and endless witticisms, Snook takes on 26 different roles across the show's nearly two hour runtime.
—Shania Russell, EW.com, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sly
Adjective
But reception took a turn for a worse when critics noticed Meta’s sly approach to ranking on LMArena, a site that ranks LLMs based on user votes.
—IEEE Spectrum, 21 Apr. 2025
Each plays a role in fooling their foe, who captures the turtle, while the deer, heeding the turtle’s good counsel, manages a sly escape.
—John Nemec, The Conversation, 7 Apr. 2025
Here are six real books coming out this week, with dust jackets that reflect their real contents: mysteries and mishaps, often told with a sly smirk.
—Colin Dwyer, NPR, 1 Apr. 2025
In a perfectly coifed wig, with a sly smile and endless witticisms, Snook takes on 26 different roles across the show's nearly two hour runtime.
—Shania Russell, EW.com, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sly
Adjective
-
McLaren’s Piastri began in pole position and initially held off Verstappen before the Dutchman displayed all the brilliance, cunning and bravery that has propelled him to four world championships, holding off the brakes as long as possible and sliding around the outside on the first turn.—
Issy Ronald,
CNN Money,
18 May 2025
-
Unfortunately, Porsha isn’t cunning enough for this to work.—
Ile-Ife Okantah,
Vulture,
12 May 2025
Adjective
-
Gates has three ecosystems on her quarter-acre: a sunny front yard, a shady back plot and a small wetland garden on one side.—
USA Today,
USA Today,
16 May 2025
-
With its rolling hills, shady live oaks, and thriving equestrian scene, Ocala already has bucolic appeal.—
Skye Sherman,
Southern Living,
14 May 2025
Adjective
-
Sure there might be a mischievous mouse-deer stealing fruit from an orangutan, but once the mystery is solved, the two animals comprise on how to share—no harm or conflict intended.—
Elisabeth Sherman,
Parents,
20 May 2025
-
Two decades on, Stitch ranks among Disney’s most ubiquitous characters — especially from a merchandising perspective, as that mischievous mug of his can be seen on backpacks, plush toys, T-shirts and, well, mugs of all sizes.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
20 May 2025
Noun
-
On fashion’s most theatrical night, Khan’s look achieved its impact through its (relative) subtlety.—
Manglien Gangte,
Vogue,
6 May 2025
-
The people who insist on making sense speak in small, prim voices, trusting their listeners to understand subtleties of tone.—
Vinson Cunningham,
New Yorker,
5 May 2025
Adjective
-
She has been married twice, marrying director Chris Calkins in 2009. 08 of 09 Woody Harrelson as Woody Boyd Woody Harrelson's Woody Boyd joined Cheers in season 4 as a not-so-bright but very cute bartender.—
Kate Hogan,
People.com,
20 May 2025
-
There are some funny bits including Kenan Thompson’s moment and joking about Sherman getting fired, but the most apt word to describe this monologue is cute.—
Rosa Escandon,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2025
Adjective
-
Upgrade to some new bags that hold a sneaky amount of stuff and look great doing it.—
Sara Coughlin,
SELF,
19 May 2025
-
From sneaky ways to get her grandkids outside to turning tiny household tasks into exciting activities, here are the nostalgic summer things your Southern grandma would use to entertain and delight on a trip to her house.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
17 May 2025
Adjective
-
This one says that offshore holding companies are wicked and should be penalized.—
William Baldwin,
Forbes.com,
24 May 2025
-
Carson Palmquist’s big-league career began with a wicked twist.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
19 May 2025
Adjective
-
Arthritis in your fingers often starts with subtle changes.—
Brandi Jones,
Health,
25 May 2025
-
The navy, white, and subtle red palette nods to the seaside and seamlessly blends into Printemps' signature French elegance.—
Roxanne Robinson,
Forbes.com,
25 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sly. Accessed 29 May. 2025.
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