variants
or skullduggery
as in deception
the use of clever underhanded actions to achieve an end
the company's apparently healthy bottom line was merely an illusion, the result of years of accounting skulduggery
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of skulduggery
Modern network security naturally aims to prevent this kind of skullduggery.
—
PC Magazine, 7 Aug. 2025
From encounters with mermaids, the devil and even Robin Hood to themes of superstition and skulduggery, these short tales are perfect escapism to dip in and out of during your summer vacation.
—Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 May 2025
This year the skulduggery began early and has been raging for week.
—Tim Spiers, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2025
Obviously, such a system is rife with uncertainty, and the history of the process is full of skulduggery, both on the club and player side.
—Tony Blengino, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for skulduggery
PC Magazine, 7 Aug. 2025
From encounters with mermaids, the devil and even Robin Hood to themes of superstition and skulduggery, these short tales are perfect escapism to dip in and out of during your summer vacation.
—Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 May 2025
This year the skulduggery began early and has been raging for week.
—Tim Spiers, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2025
Obviously, such a system is rife with uncertainty, and the history of the process is full of skulduggery, both on the club and player side.
—Tony Blengino, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for skulduggery
Recent Examples of Synonyms for skulduggery
Noun
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Always one step ahead of the police, Fantomas is a master of deception and chaos.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
4 Nov. 2025
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The three-part docuseries that premiered this week chronicles how Rasmussen discovered Johnson’s deceptions and finally left him, only to be harassed by her ex after their divorce.—
Addie Morfoot,
Variety,
31 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
And when the surviving crew interrogates the android Ash about his treachery, the book has him pretty much spill the space beans.—
Daniel Dockery,
Vulture,
22 Sep. 2025
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When does compromise become treachery or defeat?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Another recurring feature of the biggest asset booms is outright chicanery, such as fraudulent accounting, the marketing of worthless securities, and plain old stealing.—
John Cassidy,
New Yorker,
13 Oct. 2025
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When Hamilton refused him legal help, Reynolds told all who would listen that the Treasury secretary had masterminded his financial chicanery.—
Jane Kamensky,
The Atlantic,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The story then unfolded through the subterfuge of the princess and the care of Morton.—
Simon Perry,
PEOPLE,
28 Oct. 2025
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Unlike the confrontational drudgery of couples therapy — and aiming to avoid the confrontational finality of divorce — this approach relies on subterfuge.—
Sheri Linden,
HollywoodReporter,
23 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The trickery -- a direct snap in the second quarter to RJ Harvey -- was working.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
26 Oct. 2025
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The fun bit of trickery worked as Hunt gained 3 yards and got the first down.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
19 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Of course, the retort is that this would be irritating and exasperating to be continually deluged with alerts about AI deceptiveness.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
24 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Advertisement Republicans, especially outside the MAGAverse, have found mixed views of this gamesmanship.—
Philip Elliott,
Time,
28 Oct. 2025
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No half measures, and no gamesmanship.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
27 Oct. 2025
Noun
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These houses could add a layer of secrecy to your person, so look again.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
28 Oct. 2025
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Grand juries play important roles in the criminal justice system, but the secrecy surrounding them can make their process difficult to understand.—
Romy Ellenbogen,
Miami Herald,
28 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Skulduggery.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skulduggery. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
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