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
Relevance
2
as in ability
mental skill or quickness
a brilliant new theory that pays tribute to his remarkable sleight of mind
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sleight
Spending more time with these two main characters as people and not pieces in a shifting sleight-of-hand exercise might give the strong performances a chance to assert themselves more.
—
Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Apr. 2023
That's when the Wildcats caught fire from outside, thanks to Nowell's sleight-of-hand passing that kept MSU defenders guessing.
—Chris Solari, Detroit Free Press, 24 Mar. 2023
In Gustafson’s version of a play commonly called a fumblerooski, sleight-of-hand was only half the trick.
—Dallas News, 18 Aug. 2022
Whatever its relevance, that passage can stand as a fascinating exposé of a supposedly gifted medium as nothing more than a sleight-of-hand artist.
—Dennis Drabelle, Washington Post, 1 July 2022
See All Example Sentences for sleight
Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Apr. 2023
That's when the Wildcats caught fire from outside, thanks to Nowell's sleight-of-hand passing that kept MSU defenders guessing.
—Chris Solari, Detroit Free Press, 24 Mar. 2023
In Gustafson’s version of a play commonly called a fumblerooski, sleight-of-hand was only half the trick.
—Dallas News, 18 Aug. 2022
Whatever its relevance, that passage can stand as a fascinating exposé of a supposedly gifted medium as nothing more than a sleight-of-hand artist.
—Dennis Drabelle, Washington Post, 1 July 2022
See All Example Sentences for sleight
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sleight
Noun
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Just a guess here: This may have been something of a ruse by the Padres.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 Aug. 2025
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The then-officer's role was to show up in his scout car to legitimize the eviction ruse, authorities said.—
Violet Ikonomova,
Freep.com,
16 July 2025
Noun
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At right-back, there is still no established first-choice, but Matheus Nunes is quicker and has more ability to join the attack than Rico Lewis, which was the direction the team were moving in towards the end of last season.—
James McNicholas,
New York Times,
15 Aug. 2025
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The rocket's inability to make it through an entire suborbital test flight has pushed back future program milestones, such as the challenging tasks of recovering and reusing the rocket's upper stage, and demonstrating the ability to refuel another rocket in orbit.—
Stephen Clark,
ArsTechnica,
15 Aug. 2025
Noun
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When data is governed and maintained like a product, lineage evolves into a living, breathing infrastructure layer that drives both agility and accountability.—
Gary Drenik,
Forbes.com,
12 Aug. 2025
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Some have their own dog parks, agility courses and monthly social events for dog owners.—
Lois K. Solomon,
Sun Sentinel,
8 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Clean sheets appeared on the bed as if by magic, a trick many high-end hotels have forgotten.—
Michael Goldstein,
Forbes.com,
8 Aug. 2025
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The brand recommends laying the topper flat to expand for several hours after removing it from the packaging, but shoppers note that fluffing it in the dryer before use also does the trick.—
Maggie Horton,
People.com,
7 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Mulligan has shown his prowess at the Critical Role table before in spinoffs Exandria Unlimited: Calamity and Exandria Unlimited: Divergence, not only building upon the world that Mercer created, but adding to it with the DM’s blessing.—
Dana Reboe,
Rolling Stone,
7 Aug. 2025
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There are skydiving displays, nighttime drone light shows, and even a fly-in competition that pits balloon pilots against each other to demonstrate their technical prowess.—
AFAR Media,
AFAR Media,
4 Aug. 2025
Noun
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So yes, before the green flag dropped Saturday, with the throwback paint scheme unchipped and pristine — that was the moment that everyone was waiting on.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
17 Aug. 2025
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From a scheme perspective, that would also fall on LaFleur.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Hines would have fit the bill–even without elite talent–but this development changes things.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes.com,
16 Aug. 2025
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Perhaps most intriguing is the prelim card's opening bout between submission guru Chase Hooper and wrestling talent Alexander Hernandez at lightweight.—
Ben Verbrugge,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Aug. 2025
Noun
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At its inception, the NFL was Operation Team Player’s primary league partner, says Bill Hardy, IPR Center’s national program manager for Operation Team Player and Operation Surge Protector, which protects consumers from counterfeit computers and other electronic devices.—
Margaret Buranen,
USA Today,
20 Aug. 2025
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The Awards honors technical innovations — including devices, methods, formulas, discoveries and inventions — that aid filmmakers or bring additional value to the cinematic arts.—
Andrew McGowan,
Variety,
19 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sleight.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sleight. Accessed 25 Aug. 2025.
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