1
as in shady
given to acting in secret and to concealing one's intentions
a bar where a lot of slippery characters were known to hang out
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in elusive
hard to find, capture, or isolate
a slippery concept that we had trouble understanding
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in slicked
having or being a surface so smooth as to greatly reduce traction
had trouble keeping upright on the slippery ice
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of slippery
These areas can be especially slippery when the roads ice over.
—
Maia Pandey, jsonline.com, 1 Apr. 2026
Be cautious of power lines and slippery surfaces.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 31 Mar. 2026
Be cautious of power lines near the roofline and slippery surfaces, especially if leaves are wet.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 Mar. 2026
By the 12th, the phrase begins to feel slippery and postverbal, like a conversation with the mirror while rolling on molly.
—Lydia Wei, Pitchfork, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for slippery
Maia Pandey, jsonline.com, 1 Apr. 2026
Be cautious of power lines and slippery surfaces.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 31 Mar. 2026
Be cautious of power lines near the roofline and slippery surfaces, especially if leaves are wet.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 Mar. 2026
By the 12th, the phrase begins to feel slippery and postverbal, like a conversation with the mirror while rolling on molly.
—Lydia Wei, Pitchfork, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for slippery
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slippery
Adjective
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Meanwhile, Wagner uses his corrupt politician father’s connections to stage a meeting for him and Morgan with Willa Quinn (Jennifer Jason Leigh), the shady political fixer connected to the disappearance of Morgan’s ex, Roman, 15 years ago.—
Max Gao,
Variety,
8 Apr. 2026
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Wagner had only occasional presence and went MIA for awhile, coming across as a shady character and a possible villain who was set up as a potential love interest for Morgan early on.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
7 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Because standardized measurement methods for the problem have been elusive, scientists have been unable to develop interventions that are precise and safe.—
Kate Nishimura,
Footwear News,
7 Apr. 2026
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Kris Bubic’s rough first inning Royals starter Kris Bubic got off to a rough start, the strike zone proving elusive.—
Blair Kerkhoff,
Kansas City Star,
5 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Outside the Grand Rex theater in Paris, the 36-year-old actress arrived in a slicked bob and a bold red lip.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
18 Dec. 2025
-
Watts wore a navy blue sparkly dress paired with black mules and a slicked back hairstyle.—
Kayla Grant,
People.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Low isn’t the first to do a curry-chicken potpie, but his version is rich and warm, with airy, shattery pastry reminiscent of roti, flaky and slick with butter.—
Helen Rosner,
New Yorker,
5 Apr. 2026
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On his goal, Thomas swooped into the middle lane to dust McTavish and receive a slick feed from Broberg that sent him toward a vulnerable Dostál with speed for a rising shot.—
Andrew Knoll,
Oc Register,
4 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Marchessault made it 3-0 after another greasy food item, a piping hot pizza, was served up by Drew Doughty.—
Andrew Knoll,
Daily News,
3 Apr. 2026
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Soapy water is her go-to for scrubbing away greasy gunk.—
Lori Keong,
Architectural Digest,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Slippery.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slippery. Accessed 10 Apr. 2026.
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