Synonyms of sleight

sleight

noun

ˈslīt 

1

as in ruse

a clever often underhanded means to achieve an end

must have employed some sophisticated sleight to con that wary couple out of their money

Synonyms & Similar Words

• ruse
• trick
• scheme
• device
• sleight of hand
• stratagem
• gambit
• ploy
• jig
• dodge
• knack
• flimflam
• gimmick
• bluff
• fetch
• wile
• deception
• artifice
• trickery
• feint
• juggle
• subterfuge
• cunning
• chicanery
• legerdemain
• play
• duplicity
• shenanigan
• jugglery
• hoax
• skulduggery
• swindling
• fakery
• swindle
• cheating
• end run
• gaff
• fraud
• sham
• crookery
• cozenage
• front
• craft
• smoke screen
• blind
• dupery

2

as in ability

mental skill or quickness

a brilliant new theory that pays tribute to his remarkable sleight of mind

Synonyms & Similar Words

• ability
• prowess
• talent
• finesse
• dexterity
• proficiency
• aptitude
• cleverness
• competence
• adroitness
• expertise
• competency
• efficiency
• knack
• resourcefulness
• capability
• capacity
• faculty
• ingenuity
• shrewdness
• artfulness
• cunning
• guile
• savvy
• deviousness
• ingeniousness
• know-how
• craftiness
• slyness
• slickness
• artifice
• sneakiness
• craft
• canniness
• sharpness
• cunningness
• wiliness
• subtleness
• caginess
• foxiness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• incompetence
• incompetency
• ineptitude
• inadequacy
• ineptness
• density
• obtuseness
• stupidity
• foolishness
• slowness
• dullness
• dumbness
• mindlessness
• fatuity
• denseness
• simpleness
• senselessness
• witlessness
• dopiness
• brainlessness
• stupidness
• doltishness

3

as in agility

ease and grace in physical activity

a muscle-bound weight lifter known more for his might than his sleight

Synonyms & Similar Words

• agility
• dexterity
• prowess
• deftness
• nimbleness
• flexibility
• coordination
• spryness
• gracefulness
• suppleness
• finesse
• litheness
• limberness
• handiness
• loose-jointedness
• adeptness
• adroitness
• sure-handedness
• sure-footedness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• clumsiness
• awkwardness
• ungainliness
• gracelessness
• disability
• gaucheness
• incapacity
• inability
• heavy-handedness
• gawkiness
• klutziness
• incapability
• impairment
• ham-handedness
• incapacitation
• gawkishness
• disablement
• debilitation
• unhandiness

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of sleight

Tripping along a lilting triplet rhythm, the album opens with one of its catchiest melodies—and one of those sleight-of-hand maneuvers that are Hoop’s specialty. — Philip Sherburne, Pitchfork, 19 May 2026

Unlike his career in sleight-of-hand magic, Groban will defy those wildest dreams on May 6, when he will be honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. — Hunter Ingram, Variety, 6 May 2026

This felt personal, like the Wolverines weren’t merely trying to beat the Wildcats but use the Wildcats as some punching bag to eradicate a ghost, or vindicate some sleight. — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 5 Apr. 2026

Many seemingly complex magic tricks rely on a simple mix of old-fashioned sleight-of-hand and misdirection. — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 1 Apr. 2026

Phrases Containing sleight

• sleight of hand