as in cunning
skill in achieving one's ends through indirect, subtle, or underhanded means
we were both impressed and outraged by the expert slickness with which the swindler fooled us
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of slickness
The oil-free, non-comedogenic, chemical formula won’t clog pores, while silica and perlite absorb excess shine, leaving behind a matte finish that keeps midday slickness in check.
—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
22 May 2026
But there’s an innate slickness to drone footage that can turn a shot of, say, a South Texas Starbucks into a joke, and there’s a mechanical quality to the way drones glide through the air that, even if controlled by a human, feels impersonal — a view from nowhere.
—
Alison Willmore,
Vulture,
1 May 2026
And despite the Grand Hotel Belvedere's slickness, behind the scenes it is run according to the sweet sort of interdependence demanded by any small town but especially one so isolated.
—
Alice Gregory,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Feb. 2026
He was ruled offside, but the poor timing of his run takes nothing away from the slickness of the combination, nor the effectiveness of the tactic.
—
Liam Tharme,
New York Times,
28 Oct. 2025
Untouched by any chain stores or contemporary slickness, the neighborhood’s highlights include the Tea House on Los Rios inside a 1911 Victorian, cottage-like Hummingbird House Cafe and Hidden House Coffee found inside a Craftsman.
—
Staff Report,
Oc Register,
17 Sep. 2025
There’s a slickness about the style of everyone who lives here, and Missy captures that.
—
Robyn Mowatt,
Essence,
9 Sep. 2025
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
22 May 2026
But there’s an innate slickness to drone footage that can turn a shot of, say, a South Texas Starbucks into a joke, and there’s a mechanical quality to the way drones glide through the air that, even if controlled by a human, feels impersonal — a view from nowhere.
—
Alison Willmore,
Vulture,
1 May 2026
And despite the Grand Hotel Belvedere's slickness, behind the scenes it is run according to the sweet sort of interdependence demanded by any small town but especially one so isolated.
—
Alice Gregory,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Feb. 2026
He was ruled offside, but the poor timing of his run takes nothing away from the slickness of the combination, nor the effectiveness of the tactic.
—
Liam Tharme,
New York Times,
28 Oct. 2025
Untouched by any chain stores or contemporary slickness, the neighborhood’s highlights include the Tea House on Los Rios inside a 1911 Victorian, cottage-like Hummingbird House Cafe and Hidden House Coffee found inside a Craftsman.
—
Staff Report,
Oc Register,
17 Sep. 2025
There’s a slickness about the style of everyone who lives here, and Missy captures that.
—
Robyn Mowatt,
Essence,
9 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slickness
Noun
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Unable to outrun the Bitchfist, the Hand earns his reputation for cunning and courage.
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Despite being outnumbered 50-to-1 by the Five Families of the Italian mafia, the Westies’ legendary brutality and cunning have given them the leverage necessary to share the spoils through a fragile détente.
Noun
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The subtlety here is that financial stress is rarely just about money.
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Versace isn't one of the world's most famous fashion houses thanks to its subtlety, and the brand's swimsuits are just as bright, bold, and daring as its couture and ready-to-wear collections.
Noun
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All of this shone vividly through his work, which shared his joy, artfulness and deep feeling, and most of all privileged human experience and social interaction.
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Mike Bowman, designer, furniture industry expert, and director of marketing for Harmonia Living, says this trend relies on furnishings to bring artfulness to a space—rather than just functionality.
Noun
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The harp is not an instrument of slyness, wryness, or the earth.
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Like the tricksters of myth, there’s depth to their slyness.
Noun
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Made from washable silk for easy maintenance, these pants come in seven colors and can be dressed up or down with ease.
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Aquarius January 20 – February 18 When effort meets reinvention, small tweaks unlock ease.
Noun
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The real surprise comes from the subtleness of the rose.
Noun
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Even at 35, the German has the guile to make an impact in the Premier League.
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Age and guile, as the old saying goes, beat youth and skill every time.
Cite this Entry
“Slickness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slickness. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.
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