1
as in shady
given to acting in secret and to concealing one's intentions
shifty politicians making deals to channel federal funds into their districts
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in deceptive
given to or marked by cheating and deception
shifty practices such as turning back the odometers on used cars
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of shifty
The running backs should again be fast and shifty, led by juniors Kameron Lee, Elijah McCluster, a transfer from East River, sophomore Bennie Johnson and senior Duante Wallace.
—
Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 Aug. 2025
Ross is nimble enough to outrun those comparisons, shifty enough to outrun those expectations, and fast enough to outrun Horton’s shadow.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 19 Aug. 2025
Renfrow, when on the field, has been hard to cover, as he is both shifty and quick in his routes.
—Mike Kaye
august 4, Charlotte Observer, 4 Aug. 2025
Guarding shorter, shiftier wideouts like Tyler Lockett and Jaxon Smith-Njigba is a different challenge, but Woolen is usually well equipped to handle those matchups.
—Michael-Shawn Dugar, New York Times, 26 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for shifty
Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 Aug. 2025
Ross is nimble enough to outrun those comparisons, shifty enough to outrun those expectations, and fast enough to outrun Horton’s shadow.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 19 Aug. 2025
Renfrow, when on the field, has been hard to cover, as he is both shifty and quick in his routes.
—Mike Kaye
august 4, Charlotte Observer, 4 Aug. 2025
Guarding shorter, shiftier wideouts like Tyler Lockett and Jaxon Smith-Njigba is a different challenge, but Woolen is usually well equipped to handle those matchups.
—Michael-Shawn Dugar, New York Times, 26 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for shifty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shifty
Adjective
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But when a mysterious and powerful agent disrupts the negotiations, Brahim discovers the shady side of the business.—
Elsa Keslassy,
Variety,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Remove a few overhead tree branches if your planting site is too shady.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Specifically, the four customers argued that Hershey's violated Florida Deceptive And Unfair Trade Practices Act, which is designed to protect Floridians from unfair competition, deceptive acts and unethical practices.—
Greta Cross,
USA Today,
26 Sep. 2025
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In recent years, users have increasingly been taking to court to challenge allegedly deceptive practices by Amazon.—
Winston Cho,
HollywoodReporter,
25 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Washington is a sneaky-good replacement for Tyreek Hill, given his comparable speed and elusiveness.—
Jacob Robinson,
New York Times,
30 Sep. 2025
-
The character had a sneaky pathos.—
Rachel Syme,
New Yorker,
29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Throughout the enrollment process, there was no reason to believe the official birth certificate was fraudulent.—
Marni Rose McFall,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
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One plaintiff claimed their debit card was allegedly used for $80 in fraudulent charges.—
Chase Jordan
October 2,
Charlotte Observer,
2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Most playoff games are often decided by big moments and managerial decisions, not crooked numbers and tired relievers.—
Jon Greenberg,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
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The show, which followed a crooked New Mexican lawyer, played by Bob Odenkirk, was an archly funny drama, shot partly in gritty black-and-white.—
Rachel Syme,
New Yorker,
29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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No wonder de Lesseps became a national pariah whose name was synonymous with dishonest incompetence.—
U T Editorial Board,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
19 Sep. 2025
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These are cheap, dishonest shots against a great intellect, acknowledged by friends and opponents alike.—
James Gaylord,
Oc Register,
15 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shifty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shifty. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
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