“Cunningly” refers to the manner in which someone uses skill, cleverness, and often deceit to achieve their goals. It suggests that the person is using strategic, intelligent, and sometimes underhanded methods to manipulate or outsmart others. While it can imply resourcefulness or ingenuity, it often carries a negative connotation, especially when it involves trickery, manipulation, or slyness. People who act cunningly are often trying to accomplish something without others realizing their true intentions, frequently using deceit or clever tricks to gain an advantage.
10 Sentences Using “Cunningly”:
- She cunningly devised a plan to win the competition, making sure no one suspected her strategy.
- He cunningly manipulated the situation to his benefit, even though no one else could see his true intentions.
- The fox cunningly evaded the hunter, using the terrain to its advantage.
- The thief cunningly tricked the guards, sneaking into the castle without being noticed.
- She cunningly avoided answering the difficult question, redirecting the conversation instead.
- His cunningly crafted speech convinced the audience, though it was filled with half-truths.
- The detective cunningly pieced together the clues, solving the case when no one else could.
- Cunningly, she outwitted her opponents by making them think she was making mistakes.
- He cunningly took advantage of the situation, making a profit from the misfortune of others.
- They cunningly covered their tracks, ensuring that no one could trace their illegal activities.
Synonyms for “Cunningly”:
- Slyly
- Deceptively
- Craftily
- Shrewdly
- Artfully
- Sneakily
- Cleverly
- Tricky
- Deviously
- Wily
Antonyms for “Cunningly”:
- Honestly
- Transparently
- Sincerely
- Openly
- Directly
- Straightforwardly
- Genuinely
- Frankly
- Clearly
- Plainly
Related Words for “Cunningly”:
- Cunning
- Craftiness
- Deception
- Trickery
- Guile
- Deftness
- Shrewdness
- Artfulness
- Cleverness
- Slyness
Phrasal Verbs for “Cunningly”:
- Work around (to manipulate or navigate a situation through clever tactics)
- Set up (to arrange or organize something in a cunning manner, often with ulterior motives)
- Play off (to manipulate a situation or emotion to one’s advantage, usually in a cunning way)
- Pull off (to succeed in carrying out a cunning plan or strategy)
- Get around (to avoid detection or thwart an obstacle in a clever, cunning way)
Idiomatic Expressions for “Cunningly”:
- “Pull the wool over someone’s eyes” (to deceive or mislead someone in a cunning way)
- “A fox in the henhouse” (someone who is cunning, often with harmful intent)
- “Behind the scenes” (something being done in secret, often involving cunning strategies)
- “A wolf in sheep’s clothing” (someone who appears harmless but is actually deceitful or cunning)
- “Outfox someone” (to outsmart or trick someone in a clever or cunning way)