as in to grease
to coat (something) with a slippery substance in order to reduce friction
slicking the bottom of their skis with wax
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in slicked
having or being a surface so smooth as to greatly reduce traction
roads are often slick during the first hour of a rainstorm
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in cunning
clever at attaining one's ends by indirect and often deceptive means
a slick ad campaign that made smoking look cool and sexy
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in excellent
of the very best kind
that's a slick new suit you have on
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in subtlety
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
1
as in pictorial
Related Words
2
as in slicker
Related Words
3
as in chopper
Related Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of slick
Leo Bertucci, Louisville Courier Journal, 23 July 2025
Bieber’s catalogue is searching and uneven, flitting between glossy renditions of trap-pop, mid-tempo R. & B., eighties new wave, campfire Christian sing-alongs, Afrobeat, and dancehall, his slick, supple voice skimming the surface of these styles while never committing to any of them.
—Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 16 July 2025
Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 30 July 2025
With their hair slicked into updos, Nicole Ari Parker and Tracee Ellis Ross tuned in on their makeup looks.
—Essence, 28 July 2025
Thom Harris, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2025
The pool snakes for about a quarter-mile and is cushioned by mangroves that provide ample space for the slick animal to hide.
—Jack Prator, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for slick
Verb
During the July 25-28 road closure, crews will also install a high-friction surface treatment, which increases pavement friction even when wet weather makes the road slick, Woodrum said.
—Leo Bertucci, Louisville Courier Journal, 23 July 2025
Bieber’s catalogue is searching and uneven, flitting between glossy renditions of trap-pop, mid-tempo R. & B., eighties new wave, campfire Christian sing-alongs, Afrobeat, and dancehall, his slick, supple voice skimming the surface of these styles while never committing to any of them.
—Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 16 July 2025
Adjective
Tung’s front layers were slicked across the right side of her forehead and brushed behind her ear; her short ends protruded out underneath.
—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 30 July 2025
With their hair slicked into updos, Nicole Ari Parker and Tracee Ellis Ross tuned in on their makeup looks.
—Essence, 28 July 2025
Noun
Both goals arrived within 15 seconds of a touch in the defensive penalty area, including this slick move and emphatic finish from Isidor to win it.
—Thom Harris, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2025
The pool snakes for about a quarter-mile and is cushioned by mangroves that provide ample space for the slick animal to hide.
—Jack Prator, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for slick
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slick
Verb
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When making thin-crust pizzas, avoid oiling or greasing the pan; instead, sprinkle some cornmeal or semolina to prevent sticking.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Aug. 2025
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Yes, subscriber numbers are important but these numbers can be greased via promotional activity or, as mentioned, just generally underpricing the service.—
Zev Fima,
CNBC,
21 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Köhler specializes in cunning, tonally surprising films about cross-cultural disconnection, and Gavagai is his most ambitious and expansive film yet—a pinpoint-accurate account of moral crises and social biases, modern and ancient, internal and external.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
5 Aug. 2025
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But as the supervisors tweaked the incentives, a new form of cunning arose.—
Craig S. Smith,
Forbes.com,
25 July 2025
Adjective
-
There’s trendy hot pot and face-numbing Sichuan spots, as well as relative newcomers like the excellent Thai spot Zaab Zaab.—
Cathy Erway,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
28 Aug. 2025
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The tavern is the result of excellent teamwork, bringing together dozens of talented individuals from Disney’s Imagineering team over the course of a year, including senior creative director Chris Weck and executive producer Ken Ricci.—
Ronny Maye,
Forbes.com,
28 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
High-carbon steel requires drying and oiling after each wash to prevent rust, so be sure to consider this when selecting your options.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
25 Aug. 2025
-
Lightly oiling the cutting board so nothing sticks will also make rolling easier, along with allowing yourself a few tries to get the hang of it.—
Gretchen McKay,
Boston Herald,
13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
In the slippery debut thriller from director Alex Russell, a superfan gains access to a rising pop star’s inner circle and stops at nothing to stay there.—
Eric Torres,
Pitchfork,
27 Aug. 2025
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Watch out for slippery roads: The first half-hour of rain is when roads are slickest due to a mix of rain, grime, and oil.—
Bay Area Weather Report,
Mercury News,
26 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Cups are often the first things to go, and these are cute enough that people will want to take them home.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
23 Aug. 2025
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Go shopping in Conover Square, a former piano factory that’s now filled with antique shops, local boutiques, and a cute model train exhibit.—
Karthika Gupta,
Travel + Leisure,
23 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Jones is terrific as a young woman forced to grow up much too soon, who is running out of patience having to constantly clean up her uncle’s many messes, and McShane pops off the screen in a smaller role as a character whose anger is even less controlled than Robbie’s.—
Alan Sepinwall,
Rolling Stone,
28 Aug. 2025
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Originally, the scene in which the band gets lost trying to find the stage had more dialogue between the band and the maintenance man who gives them directions (played by a terrific actor named Wonderful Smith).—
Rob Reiner,
New Yorker,
27 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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In cybersecurity, subtle complexities and technicalities matter.—
David Bennett,
Forbes.com,
29 Aug. 2025
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The new species was identified by its body proportions, spines, scale pattern, coloring and other subtle physical features, the study said.—
Aspen Pflughoeft,
Miami Herald,
29 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Slick.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slick. Accessed 4 Sep. 2025.
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