as in ruses
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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sleights
Curtsies, snubs, sleights and behavior becoming (or unbecoming) of a Regency woman must pass a certain muster, because the world of the play is dependent upon dramaturgical accuracy.
—
David John Chávez, Mercury News, 30 Nov. 2025
David John Chávez, Mercury News, 30 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sleights
Noun
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The New York Colored American reported that some offers of short-term work for Black men — moving livestock to or from Kentucky, for example — were ruses that ended with kidnappings.—
Equal Justice Initiative,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
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Many suspect a spam call and don't pick up the phone, leading foundation staff to sometimes devise ruses.—
Kelly Meyerhofer,
jsonline.com,
8 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Small visual tricks are ubiquitous yet nothing here feels tacky.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Apr. 2026
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There are likely between 20,000 and 50,000 species of mycorrhizal fungi, each with its own tricks for tapping into different plants and harvesting nutrients using enzymes, acids, and water-mining structures.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Mitchell said the Cavs’ offense has changed, a little, to incorporate Harden’s isolation dominance, but also said Harden has fit into their original schemes.—
Joe Vardon,
New York Times,
7 Apr. 2026
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Somewhere along the way, these schemes stopped rewarding loyalty and started exploiting it.—
Christopher Elliott,
USA Today,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Other options, such as red light therapy caps, are non-invasive devices that use low-level light therapy to stimulate hair follicles and increase density.—
Cindy Krischer Goodman,
Sun Sentinel,
9 Apr. 2026
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Reviewing those can determine if more specific devices are covered by Cinch’s plans.—
Caroline Ernst,
USA Today,
9 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sleights.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sleights. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026.
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