1
2

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
  • This moderately difficult, half-mile trail through the Mission Hills Open Space, is located across from Pioneer Park.
    Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 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
  • However, generally speaking, insoluble fiber is commonly found in whole grains, bran, legumes, nuts, seeds, produce skins, and tough vegetables and fruits.
    Mara Santilli, SELF, 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
  • The observatory’s mirror design, sensitive camera and telescope speed are all the first of its kind, enabling Rubin to spot tiny, faint objects such as asteroids.
    Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 23 June 2025
  • With the hot and humid conditions, ozone levels will become unhealthy for sensitive groups (people with lung disease, young children, older adults, etc.).
    Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 June 2025
Adjective
  • Bow Strap midi dress: $139 (Nordstrom) This Petal & Pup Floret midi dress at Nordstrom offers a modern take on boho fashion with its subtle floral design, cute ladylike details and flattering cut.
    Jené Luciani Sena may earn a commission if you buy through our referral links. This content was created by a team that works independently from the Fox newsroom., FOXNews.com, 18 June 2025
  • When paired to a non-Huawei phone, audio quality still sounds good, but has a subtle loss of depth.
    Ben Sin, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025
Adjective
  • And if that decline becomes problematic, it will likely be tied to physical decline that makes an LTIR exit viable.
    Jonas Siegel, New York Times, 19 June 2025
  • Attempts to stem the flow of materials that could aid Kim's nuclear program became even more problematic last year when Russia vetoed a UN Security Council resolution that would have extended the mandate of a panel of experts enforcing sanctions on North Korea.
    Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tricky.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tricky. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on tricky

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!