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
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
Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 21 July 2025
Its power rests in Benicio del Toro as the shady international businessman Anatole Korda, a sly, seductive operator who is trying to firm up his many enterprises and bequeath them to his daughter, Liesl, played marvelously by Mia Threapleton.
—Taylor Antrim, Vogue, 21 July 2025
Demonstrating a talent for working in fluent french peppered with a british accent, the actor delivers one of his most indelible acting turns as the sly, wry, and wise business mogul-turned- butler who finds new purpose in life working on the other side of the fence.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 3 July 2025
Soon, the cats will be back to their usual sly behaviors.
—Grace Hollars, IndyStar, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for sly
Adjective
But Colbert, on both of these nights, displayed a kind of sly subversion that can only be achieved under the odd dual circumstances of his antiquated form—having both the constraints of a boss and the freedom of frequent live broadcasting.
—Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 21 July 2025
Its power rests in Benicio del Toro as the shady international businessman Anatole Korda, a sly, seductive operator who is trying to firm up his many enterprises and bequeath them to his daughter, Liesl, played marvelously by Mia Threapleton.
—Taylor Antrim, Vogue, 21 July 2025
Demonstrating a talent for working in fluent french peppered with a british accent, the actor delivers one of his most indelible acting turns as the sly, wry, and wise business mogul-turned- butler who finds new purpose in life working on the other side of the fence.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 3 July 2025
Soon, the cats will be back to their usual sly behaviors.
—Grace Hollars, IndyStar, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for sly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sly
Adjective
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Bening will costar on the series as Beulah Jackson, who's described as the powerful, cunning, and charming head of a major ranch in Texas.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
31 Aug. 2025
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This cunning predator is a nocturnal sheet web spider, Psechrus clavis, which captures fireflies as prey.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
29 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Critics of the nonprofit and its director, Shawn Mathis, accuse Nashville Church of Christ of shady financial dealings.—
Liam Adams,
The Tennessean,
21 Aug. 2025
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This lakeside park offers walking trails, shady trees, and peaceful views.—
Abby Price,
Travel + Leisure,
19 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Late Thursday, the company released in China the newest Labubu dolls, rabbit-ish toys that have pointed ears, jagged teeth and a mischievous grin.—
Yue Wang,
Forbes.com,
29 Aug. 2025
-
Many brushed aside the cheeky clip as mischievous teasing between teammates at the time.—
Doha Madani,
NBC news,
26 Aug. 2025
Noun
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If subtlety is more your speed, consider layering Sea Salt with other neutrals that strike the right balance, particularly regarding their undertones.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
28 Aug. 2025
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Here, the show abandons both its grasp of subtlety and its special effects acumen.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
27 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Pair it with some on-sale Adidas sneakers and a cute $15 crossbody bag that’s nearly half off.—
Katrina Cossey,
Parents,
28 Aug. 2025
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There are more cute fall dresses where those came from.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
27 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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If the Falcons can’t stop Baker Mayfield and play aggressively to keep pace, Penix could be sneaky.—
Jake Ciely,
New York Times,
2 Sep. 2025
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This meant that select watch faces, like Reflections, could update every second even in standby, meaning a sneaky glance down at your wrist during a dull meeting could tell you the time with to-the-second precision.—
David Phelan,
Forbes.com,
1 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Sherlock fanatics may recall that Cumberbatch’s interpretation of Baker Street’s greatest sleuth was blessed with hints of wicked humor sublimated under those manic, elementary deductions.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
27 Aug. 2025
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Wednesday appears gravely injured by the fall and is seemingly in a comatose state to begin the trailer for Season 2, Part 2, when Weems shows up in her hospital room as a wicked nurse.—
Tim Lammers,
Forbes.com,
27 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Gap Fit-and-Flare Mini Shirt Dress A subtle fit-and-flare silhouette with a ruched back makes this long-sleeve shirt dress extra flattering.—
Jamie Allison Sanders,
People.com,
29 Aug. 2025
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This subtle bait and switch from a national identity crisis to a personal identity crisis is imaginative and, for a time, intriguing, with Gadebois doing some very heavy lifting as the bad guy that means well but, nevertheless, behaves appallingly.—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
28 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sly. Accessed 5 Sep. 2025.
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