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
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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
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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
Greta Cross, USA Today, 11 Oct. 2025
Presenting Linda with two open wounds—one in the ceiling, and one in her child’s flesh—the film suggests, with sly wit and bristling optimism, that the solutions to both problems might be one and the same.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 9 Oct. 2025
Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sly
Adjective
At school, teachers hid their identities and students made sly side comments.
—Greta Cross, USA Today, 11 Oct. 2025
Presenting Linda with two open wounds—one in the ceiling, and one in her child’s flesh—the film suggests, with sly wit and bristling optimism, that the solutions to both problems might be one and the same.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 9 Oct. 2025
Noun
Ay, the superb slyness of that last response!
—Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sly
Adjective
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Fueled by vengeance and cunning ambition, Ashur rises from betrayal and bloodshed to seize power, gouging out a place for the House of Ashur in a new arena full of violence, desire, and twisted loyalty.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
30 Oct. 2025
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The elaborate scheme, masterminded by members of four Mafia families in collusion with celebrity athletes, ensnared unsuspecting victims, bleeding them of over $7 million through cunning deception, prosecutors said in the indictment.—
Alaa Elassar,
CNN Money,
27 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Place your propane tank in a mostly shady location a few feet from your house.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
7 Nov. 2025
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Next comes the fun of trying to reform the civil service with shady Blaine fighting them at every turn.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Clearly, Rascal lived up to his mischievous name by finding the well in the first place.—
TJ Macias,
Miami Herald,
29 Oct. 2025
-
Mykal-Michelle Harris from Raven’s Home guest-stars as Ruby, a mischievous moon imp who tricks Vee.—
Allison McClain Merrill,
Parents,
27 Oct. 2025
Noun
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There’s no subtlety to All’s Fair’s interest in the problems of the wealthy.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
5 Nov. 2025
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And these subtleties, called micro- or meso-expressions, vary from one culture to the next, as well as among individuals within each culture.—
Matt Fuchs,
Time,
4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Fall travel season is here, and my suitcase is officially in its comfy-but-cute era.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Nov. 2025
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Shoppers call out the cute and functional design.—
Kim Grundy,
PEOPLE,
8 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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The Baltimore Ravens just pulled off a sneaky-good trade, as the team has acquired defensive end Dre'Mont Jones from the Tennessee Titans for a conditional fifth-round pick.—
James Brizuela,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Nov. 2025
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J’ville’s defense is sneaky solid and second in league in takeaways, and Vegas QB Geno Smith makes more turnovers than a bakery.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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With the launch of the Culling Game in the aftermath, 10 colonies from across Japan are transformed into dens of curses as part of a plot orchestrated by the most wicked sorcerer in history, Noritoshi Kamo.—
Nick Romano,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Nov. 2025
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The rhymes are wicked smart, clever and memorable.—
Jim Harrington,
Mercury News,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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There are more subtle links between the franchises as well, like the casting of Cameron Brown as the Drone Synth in the film.—
Lauren Huff,
Entertainment Weekly,
8 Nov. 2025
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Lucky Step Platform Sneakers These brown suede platform sneakers give a subtle lift while staying super comfortable thanks to memory foam insoles and arch support.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sly. Accessed 23 Dec. 2025.
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