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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of tricky
Satisfying the old and new theme park factions is tricky, Atwood said.
—
Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 July 2025
The tricky thing about vitamin D, however, is that there are not many foods that contain this vitamin.
—Leslie Baumann, Miami Herald, 3 July 2025
After another government U-turn this week, this time on disability benefits, Reeves must now find savings elsewhere — tricky, when she's just announced a massive public spending plans — break her borrowing rules or go against Labour's campaign pledges and hike taxes on workers later this year.
—Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 3 July 2025
But the squall on the water was separate, less substantial in terms of both space and duration — and trickier to foresee, according to Colin McKellar, a meteorologist who was on duty Saturday in Reno.
—Ethan Wolin, Sacbee.com, 24 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for tricky
Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 July 2025
The tricky thing about vitamin D, however, is that there are not many foods that contain this vitamin.
—Leslie Baumann, Miami Herald, 3 July 2025
After another government U-turn this week, this time on disability benefits, Reeves must now find savings elsewhere — tricky, when she's just announced a massive public spending plans — break her borrowing rules or go against Labour's campaign pledges and hike taxes on workers later this year.
—Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 3 July 2025
But the squall on the water was separate, less substantial in terms of both space and duration — and trickier to foresee, according to Colin McKellar, a meteorologist who was on duty Saturday in Reno.
—Ethan Wolin, Sacbee.com, 24 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for tricky
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tricky
Adjective
-
James is playing the final year of his contract at $52.6 million, which is a very difficult number for teams to pay.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 July 2025
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Our models and expertise can sniff out the broad parameters, but the precise location and timing of moisture plumes, training (quasi-stationary rain cells), and forcing mechanism can be difficult.—
Marshall Shepherd,
Forbes.com,
5 July 2025
Adjective
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The Residence starred Uzo Aduba as quirky detective Cordelia Cupp, who uses her cunning intellect and obsessive bird-watching abilities to crack otherwise unsolvable cases.—
Andy Swift,
TVLine,
2 July 2025
-
As for steps that could be taken in the nineteenth century, Lyell managed to invent a cunning way to determine the relative age of geological strata.—
Lewis Hyde,
Harpers Magazine,
18 June 2025
Adjective
-
Morton, 43, may take that advice under serious consideration, mentioning how tough the fans – and even fellow cast members – have been on her following this past season’s cast trip to Grenada.—
John Lawson,
Essence,
9 July 2025
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With one out, however, Ohtani was thrown at the plate trying to score from third on Pages’ chopper up the line — making an aggressive, but proper, read in a game in which the Dodgers had long before conceded that runs would be tough to come by.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 July 2025
Adjective
-
July 6, 2025: Rodman watching Shelton’s match at Wimbledon is so cute the ESPN announcer literally giggles trying to talk about them.—
Elizabeth Logan,
Glamour,
7 July 2025
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Oh, and the best pairs of the bunch are also plain old comfy (and cute, in a gorpcore kind of way).—
Sara Coughlin,
SELF,
7 July 2025
Adjective
-
The thundering crackles and sharp bangs of pyrotechnics can not only frighten dogs but also cause discomfort to their sensitive ears.—
Logan Holland,
People.com,
4 July 2025
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This usually involves receiving a fake text, email or even a phone call designed to trick you into clicking a malicious link or sharing sensitive information.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
4 July 2025
Adjective
-
They are intended to reduce trauma to the scalp, may contribute to smoother recovery, and are designed to help achieve subtle, natural-looking outcomes.—
Daniel Fusch,
USA Today,
12 July 2025
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The property’s subtle musical motif reminds guests of its beginnings as a radio station, while the sunset libations at its Hi-Fi Rooftop Bar draw a regular crowd.—
Katie Strasberg Rousso,
Southern Living,
12 July 2025
Adjective
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This is especially problematic because compensation in financial services is reliant on bonuses, commissions and decision-making power and these rewards don’t often trickle down.—
Sughnen Yongo,
Forbes.com,
13 July 2025
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For Gathegi, the shocking moment underscored age-old problematic tropes.—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
11 July 2025
Adjective
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Mayes seeks to dissolve both companies, citing violations of the Arizona Consumer Fraud Act and deceptive practices targeting underage customers.—
Jose R. Gonzalez,
AZCentral.com,
9 July 2025
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The suit alleges excessive fees resulting in high annual percentage rates, deceptive tipping practices and misleading consumers about the voluntary nature of fees.—
AJ Dhaliwal,
Forbes.com,
9 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tricky.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tricky. Accessed 16 Jul. 2025.
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