tricky

adjective

ˈtri-kē How to pronounce tricky (audio)
Definition of trickynext
1
as in difficult
requiring exceptional skill or caution in performance or handling a tricky musical passage for the woodwind section

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in cunning
clever at attaining one's ends by indirect and often deceptive means he's a tricky one, so be careful when dealing with him

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Physical movement during dog training vs sitting to watch videos made comparisons of HRV between the groups tricky. —New Atlas, 22 Oct. 2025 But Netflix occupies a much trickier space. —Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 22 Oct. 2025 That's a tricky question to answer. —Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Oct. 2025 Auburn has a tricky situation upcoming in November. —Jordan Sigler, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for tricky
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tricky
  1. difficult
  2. cunning
  3. tough
  4. cute
  5. sensitive
  6. subtle
  7. problematic
  8. deceptive
Adjective
  • One of the world’s most persistent waste problems, plastics are durable and difficult to recycle.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 27 Oct. 2025
  • But grass is difficult to digest for the mammal.
    — Craig Shoup, Nashville Tennessean, 27 Oct. 2025
Definition of difficult
Adjective
  • Michelle is more cunning, figuring out how to play these two to her whims, while Teddy struggles to prove her extraterrestrial origins.
    — Katie Walsh, Twin Cities, 24 Oct. 2025
  • Your words can be sharp and cunning today.
    — USA TODAY, USA Today, 20 Oct. 2025
Definition of cunning
Adjective
  • Whether or not Takaichi's administration is as tough on immigration issues as her campaign rhetoric suggests, some observers warn that failing to actively invest in and integrate foreign nationals into society will have lasting harm on Asia’s second-largest economy.
    — Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025
  • Without a consolidation of that vote in the final stretch, Mamdani appears tough to beat.
    — New York Times, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
Definition of tough
Adjective
  • Mankinlu Maple Leaf Solar Pathway Lights As daylight starts to fade earlier, these cute pathway lights add both charm and function to your yard.
    — Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Oct. 2025
  • The easiest fix for the age-old struggle between cute and comfy?
    — Mia Huelsbeck, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
Definition of cute
Adjective
  • This allows users to benefit from AI acceleration without exposing sensitive information.
    — Ni Tao, Interesting Engineering, 21 Oct. 2025
  • Teens will need to allow their parents access and provide them with a time-sensitive QR code to complete activation.
    — Alex Vance, Parents, 21 Oct. 2025
Definition of sensitive
Adjective
  • Featuring a subtle kick flare at the hem and chic pintuck detailing, they’re designed to hit right under the calf, or just at the ankle for petite people like myself.
    — Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 26 Oct. 2025
  • Adding parsnips and turnips to the recipe gives the dish a subtle earthy flavor that perfectly complements the savory chicken.
    — Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Oct. 2025
Definition of subtle
Adjective
  • While most ovens heat up fairly quickly, an extra 10 to 15 minutes in this temperature range can be problematic, especially if the food isn't eventually brought to a safe internal temperature before serving.
    — Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 22 Oct. 2025
  • The second call was equally as problematic.
    — Keith Sharon, Nashville Tennessean, 21 Oct. 2025
Definition of problematic
Adjective
  • Dealers and lenders have long engaged in deceptive and predatory practices that jack up prices for car buyers in order to line their pockets.
    — Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Oct. 2025
  • This looks like an attempt to clean up their devastated public image following the Federal Trade Commission’s strong BOTS Act and deceptive practices case against them.
    — Jem Aswad, Variety, 20 Oct. 2025
Definition of deceptive

Browse Nearby Words

tricksy
tricky
tricolor
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Cite this Entry

“Tricky.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tricky. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.

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