1
as in cunning
clever at attaining one's ends by indirect and often deceptive means
the movie pairs a sly, dissembling ex-con with an upstanding, straight-arrow cop
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2
as in shady
given to acting in secret and to concealing one's intentions
why, you sly fellow! I had no idea you were planning my birthday party a sly undercover police officer
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in mischievous
tending to or exhibiting reckless playfulness
a sly sense of humor
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sly
Kennedy Tolson is the sly queen of side-eye as the disobedient new housemaid Nancy.
—
Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Aug. 2025
Champagne Poppy, by contrast, is a lighter poppy seed cookie that features sly citrus notes.
—Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 15 Aug. 2025
With acute insight and sly humor, Fumio Yamamoto depicts the lives of modern Japanese women in all their complexity.
—Gabrielle Bellot, Literary Hub, 12 Aug. 2025
Goldie loved the even more subtle cryptotephra, the sly tephra fallout from many thousands of years ago, doubly elusive when hidden under layers of sediment, as in the bogs, lake beds, or ponds that filled extinct volcanic craters.
—Annie Proulx, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sly
Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Aug. 2025
Champagne Poppy, by contrast, is a lighter poppy seed cookie that features sly citrus notes.
—Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 15 Aug. 2025
With acute insight and sly humor, Fumio Yamamoto depicts the lives of modern Japanese women in all their complexity.
—Gabrielle Bellot, Literary Hub, 12 Aug. 2025
Goldie loved the even more subtle cryptotephra, the sly tephra fallout from many thousands of years ago, doubly elusive when hidden under layers of sediment, as in the bogs, lake beds, or ponds that filled extinct volcanic craters.
—Annie Proulx, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sly
Adjective
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On this occasion, Fernandez’s cross flies over Cucurella and straight into the thick of the action, where Joao Pedro’s cunning movement creates space to get his header away.—
Thom Harris,
New York Times,
11 Sep. 2025
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Bening will costar on the series as Beulah Jackson, who's described as the powerful, cunning, and charming head of a major ranch in Texas.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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But what is Canada, if not a shady land deal?—
Dan Piepenbring,
Harpers Magazine,
19 Sep. 2025
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The retreat is made up of 60 villas—some with their own pools—found along winding lanes, made shady with towering palm trees and scented frangipani.—
Angelina Villa-Clarke,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Pomegranate Margaritas Inspired by the Fourth of July cookout, these bright, fruity margaritas capture Belly’s playful and mischievous side.—
Elizabeth Fogarty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
16 Sep. 2025
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The finale opens with a sneaky cello solo answered by a mischievous violin line.—
Sheila Regan,
Twin Cities,
13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Start with something easy, like a fridge magnet, tiny illustration, or cute DIY bookmark.—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
20 Sep. 2025
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In the song, JJ and his friends dress up in doctor, pirate, and more cute costumes.—
Elisabeth Sherman,
Parents,
19 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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But give people a chance to ditch these sneaky little time-stealers for a night, and most will take it.—
Symiah Dorsey,
Southern Living,
18 Sep. 2025
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The former Raiders defender clearly has plenty of playing left in his career, and this could be a sneaky pickup for Los Angeles.—
James Brizuela,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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On the other hand, in many cases, there does seem to be something wicked about those who are dedicating their time to cancelling others.—
Rafael Perez,
Oc Register,
17 Sep. 2025
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Those of us trying to explain these wicked things to our children.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The subtle side snap buttons leading down to the slit provide detail without being distracting, and the pointelle knit offers enough stretch and texture to hug your curves in all the right places.—
Lane Nieset,
Travel + Leisure,
20 Sep. 2025
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Chisholm took a subtle shot at the Marlins, noting what was holding him back.—
Aaliyan Mohammed,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Silver might be comforted by the fact that even many liberals who had fled for Bluesky seem to be embracing X-ism once more, creeping back onto the platform with a certain furtive guilt.—
Kyle Chayka,
New Yorker,
10 Sep. 2025
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But the party is practically dripping with the unsaid, rife with tiny, furtive glances and pregnant pauses.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
31 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sly. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
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