SLICK Synonyms: 408 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'slick' distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of slick are artful , crafty , cunning , foxy , sly , tricky , and wily . While all these words mean "attaining or seeking to attain one's ends by guileful or devious means," slick emphasizes smoothness and guile. // slick operators selling time-sharing

Q: When is 'artful' a more appropriate choice than 'slick'?

Although the words artful and slick have much in common, artful implies indirectness in dealing and often connotes sophistication or cleverness. // elicited the information by artful questioning

Q: When can 'crafty' be used instead of 'slick'?

The synonyms crafty and slick are sometimes interchangeable, but crafty implies cleverness and subtlety of method. // a crafty lefthander

Q: When could 'cunning' be used to replace 'slick'?

The meanings of cunning and slick largely overlap; however, cunning suggests the inventive use of sometimes limited intelligence in overreaching or circumventing. // the cunning fox avoided the trap

Q: When would 'foxy' be a good substitute for 'slick'?

While the synonyms foxy and slick are close in meaning, foxy implies a shrewd and wary craftiness usually involving devious dealing. // a foxy publicity man planting stories

Q: When is it sensible to use 'sly' instead of 'slick'?

While in some cases nearly identical to slick , sly implies furtiveness, lack of candor, and skill in concealing one's aims and methods. // a sly corporate raider

Q: Where would 'tricky' be a reasonable alternative to 'slick'?

In some situations, the words tricky and slick are roughly equivalent. However, tricky is more likely to suggest shiftiness and unreliability than skill in deception and maneuvering. // a tricky political operative

Q: When might 'wily' be a better fit than 'slick'?

The words wily and slick can be used in similar contexts, but wily implies skill and deception in maneuvering. // the wily fugitive escaped the posse

slick 1 of 3

verb

Definition of slick next

as in to grease

to coat (something) with a slippery substance in order to reduce friction slicking the bottom of their skis with wax

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

slick

2 of 3

adjective

ˈslik

as in slicked

having or being a surface so smooth as to greatly reduce traction roads are often slick during the first hour of a rainstorm

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in cunning

clever at attaining one's ends by indirect and often deceptive means a slick ad campaign that made smoking look cool and sexy

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in excellent

of the very best kind that's a slick new suit you have on

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

slick

3 of 3

noun

as in pictorial

Related Words

as in slicker

Related Words

as in chopper

Related Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word slick distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of slick are artful, crafty, cunning, foxy, sly, tricky, and wily. While all these words mean "attaining or seeking to attain one's ends by guileful or devious means," slick emphasizes smoothness and guile.

slick operators selling time-sharing

When is artful a more appropriate choice than slick?

Although the words artful and slick have much in common, artful implies indirectness in dealing and often connotes sophistication or cleverness.

elicited the information by artful questioning

When can crafty be used instead of slick?

The synonyms crafty and slick are sometimes interchangeable, but crafty implies cleverness and subtlety of method.

a crafty lefthander

When could cunning be used to replace slick?

The meanings of cunning and slick largely overlap; however, 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 slick?

While the synonyms foxy and slick are close in meaning, foxy implies a shrewd and wary craftiness usually involving devious dealing.

a foxy publicity man planting stories

When is it sensible to use sly instead of slick?

While in some cases nearly identical to slick, sly implies furtiveness, lack of candor, and skill in concealing one's aims and methods.

a sly corporate raider

Where would tricky be a reasonable alternative to slick?

In some situations, the words tricky and slick are roughly equivalent. However, tricky is more likely to suggest shiftiness and unreliability than skill in deception and maneuvering.

a tricky political operative

When might wily be a better fit than slick?

The words wily and slick can be used in similar contexts, but 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 slick

Verb

Her hair was wet and slicked back with her ends hidden under a sculptural Maison Margiela Artisanal gown. —

Essence, 5 May 2026 When hunger hits, chef Aaron Bludorn’s Perseid (one of Bon Appétit’s Best New Restaurants of 2025) delivers—linger over a golden-hour dinner of duck frites slicked with chili-mango glaze and a martini at the bar. —

Carrie Honaker, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 May 2026

Adjective

The slick creatures, with their blunt heads and whiskers, are sometimes easy to spot in the water, but the restaurants that have perfected eating them are a bit harder to find. —

Chelsea Brasted, Southern Living, 15 May 2026 The run includes short weeks, off days, Lambeau Field, mile-high altitude and slick quarterbacks. —

Tim Graham, New York Times, 15 May 2026

Noun

Daniel estimated that the equivalent of roughly 80,000 oil barrels has spilled from Kharg Island since the slick was first detected by satellite images Tuesday. —

Arkansas Online, 9 May 2026 With the addition of niacinamide and tea tree leaf water, the formula also helps soothe irritation and fight oil-slick sebum production. —

Rosa Jisoo Pyo, Vogue, 8 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for slick

Recent Examples of Synonyms for slick

Verb

Fire ants are attracted to grease, so clean up any spills around your trash cans.

— Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 7 May 2026
Lightly grease 2 baking sheets; arrange knots 2 inches apart on baking sheets.

— Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Apr. 2026

Definition of grease

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slicing

slick

slicked

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“Slick.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slick. Accessed 20 May. 2026.

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Synonyms of slick

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