shiftiness

Definition of shiftinessnext

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 shiftiness That shiftiness can create room for him — and time for his teammates to get in position for a pass. The Athletic, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2026 His vision and shiftiness give him a higher chance to break out for longer runs. Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 19 Dec. 2025 Vue’s combination of shiftiness with the ball and the ability to win the ball out of the air against opponents of any size, Manson said, is rare to find in any player — a combination of technical excellence and soccer smarts. Andrew Cornelius, Twin Cities, 15 Sep. 2025 Every actor works within a range that’s believable to them as performers, even Covino’s hangdog shiftiness as Paul, and Covino, as director, doesn’t push them outside of their comfort zone. Katie Walsh, Chicago Tribune, 22 Aug. 2025 Sherrod, a transfer from Fresno State, has quickly impressed the coaching staff with his speed and shiftiness, scoring touchdowns both in the spring game and the recent scrimmage. Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 9 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shiftiness
Noun
  • The crunchy Larkin Poe album embodies the musical slipperiness of Americana as an ideal, a carefree cruise through country, blues, rock, and soul; the Molly Tuttle album brims with the rustic zest of early Sheryl Crow.
    Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 30 Jan. 2026
  • Still, her slipperiness was something that attracted the actor.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • And Ten Hag’s training ground shrewdness was meant to correct that.
    Carl Anka, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Like the tricksters of myth, there’s depth to their slyness.
    Big Think, Big Think, 5 Feb. 2026
  • Ay, the superb slyness of that last response!
    Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • And despite the Grand Hotel Belvedere's slickness, behind the scenes it is run according to the sweet sort of interdependence demanded by any small town but especially one so isolated.
    Alice Gregory, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Feb. 2026
  • He was ruled offside, but the poor timing of his run takes nothing away from the slickness of the combination, nor the effectiveness of the tactic.
    Liam Tharme, New York Times, 28 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Perfidy — from the French perfidie via the Latin perfidia — means deceitfulness, treachery or a breach of faith or promise.
    Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 21 Jan. 2026
  • But despite all this, not every Chelsea fan outside his family will regard this transfer as treachery.
    Simon Johnson, New York Times, 17 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Filmmakers Chris Lavis and Maciek Szczerbowski find an enchanting balance between storybook allure and adult trickery.
    Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2026
  • Rayan gave Mykolenko a torrid time, beating him with trickery, pace and brute force.
    Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Mike Bowman, designer, furniture industry expert, and director of marketing for Harmonia Living, says this trend relies on furnishings to bring artfulness to a space—rather than just functionality.
    Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Jan. 2026
  • There is a real seriousness to the score — the scheming bad-guy music has the artfulness of Prokofiev, and even the sneaking-around cues have musical integrity and structure.
    Tim Greiving, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Both nations are among the tournament's top contenders, which made the last few practices stateside simmering with subterfuge.
    Ren Clayton, CBS News, 10 Feb. 2026
  • The anti-ICE movement seems to be more of a subterfuge by those who oppose immigration restrictions in general.
    Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 6 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Shiftiness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shiftiness. Accessed 27 Feb. 2026.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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