The combination of “cunning and deceitful” refers to behavior that is both skillfully clever and intentionally dishonest. Someone who is both cunning and deceitful uses their intelligence not just to outsmart others, but to mislead or manipulate them for personal gain. This phrase often carries a negative connotation, as it implies a person is not only intelligent and strategic but also willing to bend the truth or employ trickery to achieve their goals. The combination of these two traits often results in a manipulative and potentially harmful individual.
10 Sentences Using “Cunning and Deceitful”:
- The lawyer’s cunning and deceitful tactics managed to manipulate the jury’s decision in his client’s favor.
- She was both cunning and deceitful, pretending to be a friend while secretly plotting against them.
- His cunning and deceitful ways allowed him to climb the corporate ladder, stepping on others to get ahead.
- The politician was as cunning and deceitful as they come, always promising one thing and doing the opposite.
- With a combination of cunning and deceitful behavior, he swindled investors out of millions of dollars.
- The con artist was both cunning and deceitful, using charm and lies to steal from unsuspecting victims.
- Cunning and deceitful, he found ways to exploit every loophole in the system to his advantage.
- She used cunning and deceitful tactics to convince her boss that she was the only one qualified for the promotion.
- The thief was both cunning and deceitful, sneaking into homes and leaving no trace of his presence.
- His cunning and deceitful nature made it difficult for anyone to trust him, as he always had an ulterior motive.
Synonyms for “Cunning and Deceitful”:
- Crafty and dishonest
- Sly and manipulative
- Shrewd and deceptive
- Artful and treacherous
- Wily and fraudulent
- Tricky and untrustworthy
- Sneaky and conniving
- Scheming and dishonest
- Clever and underhanded
- Deceptive and calculating
Antonyms for “Cunning and Deceitful”:
- Honest and straightforward
- Transparent and genuine
- Sincere and forthright
- Trustworthy and open
- Simple and direct
- Naive and innocent
- Fair and ethical
- Upright and candid
- Genuine and loyal
- Frank and truthful
Related Words for “Cunning and Deceitful”:
- Cunning
- Deception
- Trickery
- Guile
- Manipulation
- Slyness
- Fraudulence
- Dishonesty
- Treachery
- Artfulness
Phrasal Verbs for “Cunning and Deceitful”:
- Weasel out of (to avoid or escape something deceitfully)
- Work around (to manipulate or avoid something in a clever or deceptive manner)
- Play on (to manipulate someone’s emotions or weaknesses for one’s own advantage)
- Get away with (to successfully perform something dishonest or deceitful without facing consequences)
- Set up (to arrange or plan something in a deceitful or manipulative manner)
- Lead astray (to deceive or mislead someone, often with cunning intentions)
Idiomatic Expressions for “Cunning and Deceitful”:
- “Pull the wool over someone’s eyes” (to deceive or mislead someone, especially through trickery)
- “A wolf in sheep’s clothing” (someone who appears harmless but is actually deceitful or dangerous)
- “Behind the scenes” (something done secretly or manipulatively, often involving deceit)
- “Twist the truth” (to distort or manipulate the facts to deceive others)
- “The ends justify the means” (a phrase that can justify deceitful actions if they lead to a desired outcome, often associated with cunning behavior)