skulduggery

noun

ˌskəl-ˈdə-g(ə-)rē How to pronounce skulduggery (audio)
variants or skullduggery
Definition of skulduggerynext
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

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 skulduggery The governor’s office offered no explanation for its skullduggery. — Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 7 Mar. 2026 Soprano Nicole Car’s initially elegant Elizabeth accumulates both physical and vocal intensity as the opera exposes more and more skulduggery around her. — Scott Cantrell, Dallas Morning News, 28 Feb. 2026 But this week social media posts began to surface alleging the firm was engaged in skullduggery. — Jeff John Roberts, Fortune, 26 Feb. 2026 The outcome of the family’s skulduggery, revealed over the end credits, should be a lip-smacking wicked delight. — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 14 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for skulduggery
Recent Examples of Synonyms for skulduggery
  1. deception
  2. treachery
  3. chicanery
  4. subterfuge
  5. trickery
  6. deceptiveness
  7. gamesmanship
  8. secrecy
Noun
  • Camouflage, concealment, and deception Protecting missile infrastructure also depends on preventing an adversary from developing an accurate target list.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 14 July 2026
  • The snake charmer is, in effect, a stand-in for Gérôme, whose art relies on seduction and deception.
    — Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 13 July 2026
Definition of deception
Noun
  • Guides spoke of the monthlong siege that ended only because of the treachery of a local noble who turned on the sultan and allowed British troops to scale the walls.
    — Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 2 July 2026
  • This is not treachery but the truest and noblest affection.
    — Ann Manov, Harpers Magazine, 23 June 2026
Definition of treachery
Noun
  • But both parties increasingly justify the chicanery, because the stakes of winning elections and keeping power are simply too high.
    — S.E. Cupp, New York Daily News, 8 July 2026
  • There’s a tremendous amount of financial chicanery that goes on in 2026.
    — Chris Murphy, Vanity Fair, 11 June 2026
Definition of chicanery
Noun
  • The majority sees this as subterfuge.
    — Morgan Marietta, The Conversation, 26 June 2026
  • The Blacks’ defeat would be certain if not for dragons and subterfuge.
    — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 22 June 2026
Definition of subterfuge
Noun
  • Molière’s irresistible comedy of trickery and mayhem is a dazzling new adaptation by Bill Irwin and Mark O’Donnell — reimagined for today’s audiences with fresh American flair and nonstop physical comedy, according to a news release.
    — News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 July 2026
  • The absolute key to France’s attack is the telepathic understanding brewing between Mbappé and Olise, whose combined trickery and close control are in perfect harmony.
    — Tom Burrows, New York Times, 27 June 2026
Definition of trickery
Noun
  • 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
  • Beyond the deceptiveness of the narrow material view, spiritual light and hope are always present to be found and felt.
    — Sue Brightman, Christian Science Monitor, 3 Jan. 2025
Definition of deceptiveness
Noun
  • For 70 minutes, Paraguay had played with corseted restraint, frustrating France with organisation, concentration and no little gamesmanship.
    — Adam Crafton, New York Times, 5 July 2026
  • Gerry was not alone among the Founders in opposing such political gamesmanship.
    — Frederic J. Fransen, Boston Herald, 9 June 2026
Definition of gamesmanship
Noun
  • The film’s existence was confirmed by the Hollywood trades, but details were of course scarce, as Baron Cohen made the project in characteristic secrecy.
    — Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 13 July 2026
  • The rapid rise of China’s biotech industry has led some American drug developers to do their work in near total secrecy, the Wall Street Journal observes.
    — Damian Garde, STAT, 10 July 2026
Definition of secrecy

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skoshes
skulduggery
skulk
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Cite this Entry

“Skulduggery.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skulduggery. Accessed 15 Jul. 2026.

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