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

Common issues found on live selling platforms can range from simple mistakes by inexperienced sellers, including customers being sent the wrong items, to more intentional violations, including the use of sleight-of-hand to swap high-value cards in a pack for less desirable ones. — Benjamin Burrows, New York Times, 10 June 2026

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

Phrases Containing sleight

• sleight of hand