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Synonym Chooser

How is the word tricky distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of tricky are artful, crafty, cunning, foxy, slick, sly, and wily. While all these words mean "attaining or seeking to attain one's ends by guileful or devious means," tricky is more likely to suggest shiftiness and unreliability than skill in deception and maneuvering.

a tricky political operative

When can artful be used instead of tricky?

While the synonyms artful and tricky are close in meaning, artful implies indirectness in dealing and often connotes sophistication or cleverness.

elicited the information by artful questioning

When is it sensible to use crafty instead of tricky?

While in some cases nearly identical to tricky, crafty implies cleverness and subtlety of method.

a crafty lefthander

When might cunning be a better fit than tricky?

The words cunning and tricky can be used in similar contexts, but cunning suggests the inventive use of sometimes limited intelligence in overreaching or circumventing.

the cunning fox avoided the trap

When would foxy be a good substitute for tricky?

The synonyms foxy and tricky are sometimes interchangeable, but foxy implies a shrewd and wary craftiness usually involving devious dealing.

a foxy publicity man planting stories

When is slick a more appropriate choice than tricky?

In some situations, the words slick and tricky are roughly equivalent. However, slick emphasizes smoothness and guile.

slick operators selling time-sharing

When could sly be used to replace tricky?

The words sly and tricky are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, sly implies furtiveness, lack of candor, and skill in concealing one's aims and methods.

a sly corporate raider

Where would wily be a reasonable alternative to tricky?

The meanings of wily and tricky largely overlap; however, wily implies skill and deception in maneuvering.

the wily fugitive escaped the posse

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of tricky Advertisement This sort of zombie—which originated the term—brings up the surprisingly tricky question of determining what counts as a zombie movie. James Grebey, Time, 20 June 2025 Even in a trickier season for him, Williams still put up a goal or an assist every other match. Pol Ballús, New York Times, 19 June 2025 The robot can pitch its body to keep the shuttlecock in view, mimicking how a human player might lean in for a tricky shot. Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 19 June 2025 Under-socialization, personality clashes, or territorial tendencies can make introducing a new feline tricky. Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for tricky
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tricky
Adjective
  • The same ingredients that target dirt and oils in your hair can easily be redirected to lift difficult grease around the home.
    Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 23 June 2025
  • Attorney Nicole Blank Becker, who represents R. Kelly, told Fox News Digital that jurors, just like anyone else, have a difficult time separating emotions from charges.
    Tracy Wright , Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 23 June 2025
Adjective
  • With wit and cunning, the protagonists navigate the ever-present systems of oppression that encircle them and their relationships.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 June 2025
  • President Trump does not exhibit Bismarck’s cunning, inscrutability, or proclivity for complicated diplomacy.
    Charles C. W. Cooke, National Review, 24 June 2025
Adjective
  • Even these young players already have major tournament experience — a huge strength given their tough group.
    Megan Feringa, New York Times, 28 June 2025
  • Nor is anything that tough necessary to prevent chronic illness.
    Carolyn Rosenblatt, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025
Adjective
  • Amazon is stocked with tons of cute coin purses that capture the kawaii aesthetic of Japanese street style.
    Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 25 June 2025
  • Sourced from our favorite spots like J.Crew, Gap, Nordstrom Rack, and Amazon, these linen pieces are high quality and cute.
    Jeaneen Russell, People.com, 24 June 2025
Adjective
  • American military and diplomatic outposts across the globe are on high alert after a U.S. bombing raid on Saturday struck three of Iran’s most sensitive nuclear facilities, prompting vows of retaliation from Tehran and raising fears of a widening regional war.
    Nik Popli, Time, 23 June 2025
  • Rochester recommends baby shampoo to get your hair and makeup brushes grease-free and without any additives that may irritate sensitive face skin.
    Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 23 June 2025
Adjective
  • The boxy shape and subtle back snaps add airflow and style, and the whole outfit can be rinsed in a hotel sink and re-worn with no stress.
    Alesandra Dubin, Travel + Leisure, 30 June 2025
  • The new species was identified by its DNA, size, body proportions, texture, coloring and other subtle physical features, the study said.
    Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 30 June 2025
Adjective
  • Storied but problematic luxury Italian sports carmaker Maserati is not for sale; yet.
    Neil Winton, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • What really matters is Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s problematic language -- specifically, his casual gendering of the American B-2 bombing crews.
    Becket Adams, National Review, 29 June 2025
Adjective
  • In the suit, filed Friday, Newsom says that Fox News had used deceptive edits to claim that the governor had lied in saying that Trump had not called him about deploying National Guard troops during the L.A. protests.
    Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 27 June 2025
  • Florida is leading the way in what can become a national movement to crack down on hospitals’ deceptive and unfair billing practices.
    Cynthia A. Fisher, Sun Sentinel, 26 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Tricky.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tricky. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.

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