crooked 1 of 2

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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

2 of 2

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
That benchmark is unattainable because mankind is made of crooked timber, and our station in life is influenced by happenstances beyond our control — our parents, siblings, relatives and place of birth. Bruce Fein, Baltimore Sun, 23 Jan. 2025 Workers reported bent rafters, crooked columns and snapped cables before the building collapsed, according to OSHA. Nick Rosenberger, Idaho Statesman, 31 Jan. 2025 The larger-than-life writer-director plays the dupe, an Irish sailor who falls head over heels in confounded lust for Elsa (Hayworth), the enigmatic wife of a crooked lawyer (Everett Sloane), recently arrived in New York from Shanghai. Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 22 Jan. 2025 Consumers shouldn’t have to accept their paychecks, holiday cards and medications being stolen by crooked clerks and carriers. David Williams, Baltimore Sun, 16 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for crooked
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crooked
Adjective
  • It is intended to streamline the removal of individuals deemed inadmissible under specific grounds, primarily for lacking proper documentation or for using fraudulent means to enter the country.
    Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 6 Mar. 2025
  • The suit alleges that employees at the Novato branch were incentivized not to do anything to stop PFI’s fraudulent activity.
    Richard Halstead, The Mercury News, 6 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Truth oaths are not just for the U.S. Internal Revenue Service but for many different companies that want to curb dishonest behavior or that ask employees to report information that is difficult to verify.
    IESE Business School, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
  • Greta’s stealth revolution may look natural, but the change is weak and dishonest.
    Armond White, National Review, 5 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • One of her twisted arms is lopped off by an angry audience member and turns into a firehose of blood.
    Scottie Andrew, CNN, 27 Feb. 2025
  • The twisted moral compass of The Wild Robot results from this era’s tech domination.
    Armond White, National Review, 26 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has taken some steps to regulate the collection of data in vehicles, focusing on consumer protection and preventing deceptive practices.
    Eric Reicin, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025
  • Burrowes’ new fraud lawsuit also includes claims for unjust enrichment and deceptive business practices.
    Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 26 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Connecticut transit riders urged lawmakers to bolster funding and services for the state’s local commuter railroads on Wednesday, as ridership continues to experience an uneven rebound from the pandemic.
    John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 28 Feb. 2025
  • Two different curling irons — a 1-inch and a 1.5-inch — gave the pro uneven waves for a more natural feel.
    Jackie Fields, People.com, 27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • To illustrate, in the United Kingdom vaccinations took a considerable dip in the early 2000s after Wakefield’ false claims of a link between the MMR shot and autism were posted in the media.
    Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2025
  • In those documents, West discussed not only how to conduct experiments to implant false memories, instill specific mental disorders, and induce trance states, but also how to hide them.
    Randall Colburn, EW.com, 8 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Speaking of being hooked, the specific formats and methods of near-infinite memory are likely to vary from one AI maker to another.
    Lance Eliot, Forbes, 1 Jan. 2025
  • The Broncos got a second chance in overtime — their first drive ended in a three-and-out — when Bengals kicker Cade York hooked a 33-yard field goal attempt into the left upright at the end of Cincinnati’s second overtime drive.
    Nick Kosmider, The Athletic, 28 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • But the end of that long and winding road is here, so will the upcoming slate result in a true box office revival?
    Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 19 Feb. 2025
  • Venice, with its winding canals, centuries-old architecture, and romantic gondola rides, has long been hailed as one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
    Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 11 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Crooked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crooked. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

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