“Sly” refers to a person or behavior characterized by cunning, deceit, and craftiness. It often describes someone who is sneaky or clever in a way that is subtle and secretive, typically with the aim of achieving personal gain or manipulating others without their knowledge. Sly individuals tend to use indirect methods or trickery to get what they want, often hiding their true intentions. While being sly can be seen as a form of cleverness, it is typically viewed negatively, as it implies dishonesty or underhandedness. The word can also imply someone who is skillful at avoiding detection, making their schemes or tricks less obvious.
10 Sentences Using “Sly”:
- His sly grin made me suspicious, as if he was hiding something.
- She had a sly way of getting what she wanted, often without anyone noticing.
- The sly fox outwitted the hunter by sneaking away unnoticed.
- He was known for his sly comments, always making others feel uncomfortable without being direct.
- Her sly maneuvering in the meeting allowed her to take control without anyone realizing.
- The sly trick he played on his friend ended up backfiring, causing more trouble than he anticipated.
- I caught him in a sly attempt to cheat during the game, but he denied it with a wink.
- His sly behavior during the negotiations made the other party distrust him.
- The detective noticed the sly signs of deception in the suspect’s story.
- The sly way she avoided answering the question showed she had something to hide.
Synonyms for “Sly”:
- Cunning
- Crafty
- Deceptive
- Sneaky
- Tricksy
- Shrewd
- Underhanded
- Artful
- Guileful
- Wily
Antonyms for “Sly”:
- Honest
- Open
- Straightforward
- Transparent
- Frank
- Sincere
- Direct
- Genuine
- Naive
- Simple
Related Words for “Sly”:
- Slyness (noun)
- Cunning
- Deception
- Trickery
- Craftiness
- Guile
- Manipulation
- Artfulness
- Shrewdness
- Stealth
Phrasal Verbs for “Sly”:
- Get away with (to escape punishment or consequences for a sly or deceptive action)
- Pull off (to successfully accomplish something tricky or deceptive)
- Set up (to arrange something in a secretive or sly manner)
- Slip by (to manage to avoid detection or notice through sly actions)
- Play along (to pretend to be unaware of something, often slyly manipulating a situation)
Idiomatic Expressions for “Sly”:
- “A fox in the henhouse” (someone who is sly or devious in a situation where they can cause harm)
- “Pull the wool over someone’s eyes” (to deceive or trick someone in a sly manner)
- “Behind someone’s back” (doing something slyly without the other person knowing)
- “Have a trick up one’s sleeve” (to have a hidden plan or resource that can be used slyly when needed)
- “Play both sides” (to manipulate two parties in a sly way for personal gain)