crooked 1 of 2

Definition of crookednext
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as in dishonest
marked by, based on, or done by the use of dishonest methods to acquire something of value a crooked scheme to bill the government for medical services never performed

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

crooked

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verb

past tense of crook

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 crooked
Adjective
And court arraignments are just the smallest part of a crooked trooper’s life. Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 17 Jan. 2026 Uneven floating shelves, crooked backsplash tile, or inconsistent hardware can create suspicions. Angelika Pokovba, Martha Stewart, 17 Jan. 2026
Verb
Two days after the Knicks were booed frequently while trailing by 30 points in the first half of their 114-97 loss to Dallas, the scoreboard was crooked in their favor. CBS News, 22 Jan. 2026 Her most unusual feature was her teeth, which were crooked in a way that reminded me of a spiral staircase. Literary Hub, 20 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for crooked
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crooked
Adjective
  • Hudsonian whimbrels, to be exact, shorebirds about the size of crows with long, thin, slightly curved beaks.
    Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 14 Feb. 2026
  • We’re drawn to each design but really like the curved scallop edges and piped embellishments for an elegant bedscape.
    Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Some defendants are also accused of conspiring to bribe a civilian contractor to create fraudulent military IDs for base access.
    Steve Patterson, Florida Times-Union, 5 Feb. 2026
  • Rivers used her professional connection with Event Décor Direct in Deerfield Beach to take money from the event decoration business over a three-month period in 2025, in part by making dozens of fraudulent transactions and credit card purchases, the Sheriff’s Office said in a news release Thursday.
    Angie DiMichele, Sun Sentinel, 5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Your stairs are nothing more than a narrow, tilted floor, much like a child’s slide at a playground.
    Tim Carter, Hartford Courant, 3 Jan. 2026
  • Paramount did not bargain for WBD to foster, whether intentionally or unintentionally, a tilted and unfair process.
    Julia Boorstin,Lillian Rizzo,Alex Sherman,David Faber, CNBC, 4 Dec. 2025
Adjective
  • That doesn't mean the dealer is dishonest, though.
    Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Multiple points of validation will help combat dishonest applicants, Rowe told lawmakers at the time.
    Alex Derosier, Twin Cities, 9 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Back on the highway, the rearview mirror showed the clouds had lifted, the waters were still, and a rainbow had arched across the sky.
    Marlise Kast-Myers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Feb. 2026
  • Engage your core so that your back is flat (not arched or rounded).
    Jenny McCoy, Outside, 30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • The film vaguely follows the basic outline of the first half of the novel, heavily streamlining the twisted tale of family strife and generational trauma into a more conventional tragic romance centered squarely on Catherine and Heathcliff.
    Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 13 Feb. 2026
  • Loft Twist Off-the-shoulder Sweater The beautiful twisted detailing at the neckline of this Loft top sets it apart from other off-the-shoulder styles—and it’s double discounted to just $18 in a full range of sizes.
    Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Savings are only on brand names, which can be deceptive when comparing prices.
    Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Novo has so far filed around 130 lawsuits dealing with deceptive marketing practices and consumer fraud, Kuckelman said.
    Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Despite substantial investment, outcomes remain uneven, and access to alternatives is often constrained by income.
    Carol Platt Liebau, Hartford Courant, 5 Feb. 2026
  • Bets on economic resilience have recently fueled gains in companies that tend to benefit from improving growth prospects, the latest data underscored the uneven labor market characterized by limited numbers of overall dismissals and lackluster hiring.
    Rita Nazareth, Fortune, 5 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Crooked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crooked. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.

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