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
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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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of shifty
The backcourt duo of Courtney Williams and Natisha Hiedeman, also known as the StudBudz, are shifty, tough shot-making guards who can get hot in a hurry.
—
Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 13 Sep. 2025
By halftime, the shifty Jordan – the Trojans’ starter – had carried it five times for 42 yards and a score.
—Mirjam Swanson, Oc Register, 31 Aug. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for shifty
Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 13 Sep. 2025
By halftime, the shifty Jordan – the Trojans’ starter – had carried it five times for 42 yards and a score.
—Mirjam Swanson, Oc Register, 31 Aug. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for shifty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shifty
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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The lawsuit, filed in New York federal court on Tuesday, brings claims for deceptive practices and false advertising, among others.—
Winston Cho,
HollywoodReporter,
5 Nov. 2025
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The complaints allow the public to report unfair or deceptive business practices, according to the agency’s website, and can prompt investigations from the office.—
Nicole Blanchard,
Idaho Statesman,
3 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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Such fraudulent science can slow medical progress and delay vital treatment, The Scientist reported, especially when, as in this case, journals rarely took steps to correct the record.—
Tom Chivers,
semafor.com,
7 Nov. 2025
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The illegality generated more than $1 billion in fraudulent claims to Medicare and Medicaid.—
Kevin G. Hall,
Miami Herald,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Recent reports that a number of current and former NBA players were allegedly faking injuries and trading inside information with crooked gamblers has left sports fans and media reeling.—
David Hill,
Rolling Stone,
31 Oct. 2025
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After a disastrous attempt at bedding Minde’s ex-girlfriend Edita (Vaidilė Juozaitytė), our flat-top sporting hero with a crooked smile meets Monika (Digna Kulionytė), an ambitious, studious beauty from the middle-class area of town.—
Courtney Howard,
Variety,
30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Matthiessen, not without reason, portrays the Bureau as paranoid, dishonest, and in league with corporate interests.—
Maggie Doherty,
New Yorker,
13 Oct. 2025
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For that incredibly dishonest assessment that actually did a disservice to the country, Obama is held up to widespread praise by Democrats and others, even winning the Nobel Peace Prize in 2009.—
Joe Battenfeld,
Boston Herald,
11 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shifty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shifty. Accessed 15 Nov. 2025.
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