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
Zack James’ shifty drumming hammers out a drum ’n’ bass redux like a panicked heartbeat while Carney Hemler’s bass lurches in slow motion, replicating the gut drop of a horrible realization.
—
Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 3 Apr. 2026
Leite’s most notable game came in the Valkyries’ playoff-clinching win over the Dallas Wings, where the shifty point guard came off the bench and scored 15 points on 6-of-8 shooting while dishing out five assists.
—Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 3 Apr. 2026
The prominence of perimenopause as a long, frightening stage in the physical and emotional rollercoaster caused by our shifty hormones is being shaped by influencers, advocates, and doctors who are not only diseasifying midlife but also invariably selling some product or service to calm the storm.
—Patricia Bencivenga, STAT, 26 Mar. 2026
Payton, though, doesn’t normally look for those smaller, shiftier players to operate in the slot.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 11 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shifty
Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 3 Apr. 2026
Leite’s most notable game came in the Valkyries’ playoff-clinching win over the Dallas Wings, where the shifty point guard came off the bench and scored 15 points on 6-of-8 shooting while dishing out five assists.
—Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 3 Apr. 2026
The prominence of perimenopause as a long, frightening stage in the physical and emotional rollercoaster caused by our shifty hormones is being shaped by influencers, advocates, and doctors who are not only diseasifying midlife but also invariably selling some product or service to calm the storm.
—Patricia Bencivenga, STAT, 26 Mar. 2026
Payton, though, doesn’t normally look for those smaller, shiftier players to operate in the slot.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 11 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shifty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shifty
Adjective
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For the first time, Rue is placed in the caretaker role, personally dropping Angel off at a shady rehab facility.—
Zoe Papelis,
Vulture,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Put it out in a shady space to delay spoilage and replace any remaining suet after two weeks.—
Lauren David,
Better Homes & Gardens,
21 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The suit alleges negligence, personal injury and deceptive business practices.—
Laura Bauer,
Kansas City Star,
22 Apr. 2026
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Barrera played Michelle, a deceptive character who will keep everyone guessing.—
Denise Petski,
Deadline,
15 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
And there’s like sneaky entrances into the stages.—
Andrea Domanick,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Apr. 2026
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Pick up these sneaky wide-leg sweatpants, which remind us of Stewart’s low-key bottoms.—
Averi Baudler,
PEOPLE,
18 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
That’s why the scale of fraudulent hospice activity in California is so deeply concerning.—
Tom Koutsoumpas,
Oc Register,
24 Apr. 2026
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Yourex bragged on social media about the fraudulent votes in January 2022.—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
As Van Young observes, the crooked governor here is a symptom, not a symbol.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
23 Apr. 2026
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Monday night, however, the team that cried wolf left the Nuggets with a bloody lip and crooked nose.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
21 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Laptop twee tries to pretend those simpler times are accessible, which makes for exaggerated, juvenile glee—a dishonest document of 2026, but a wildly appealing one.—
Samuel Hyland,
Pitchfork,
15 Apr. 2026
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The election took place amid a surge in violent crime and corruption that has fueled widespread discontent among voters, who largely view candidates as dishonest and unprepared for the presidency.—
Franklin Briceño,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shifty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shifty. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.
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