weasel

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noun

wea·​sel ˈwē-zəl How to pronounce weasel (audio)
plural weasels
1
or plural weasel : any of various small slender active carnivorous mammals (genus Mustela of the family Mustelidae, the weasel family) that are able to prey on animals (such as rabbits) larger than themselves, are mostly brown with white or yellowish underparts, and in northern forms turn white in winter compare ermine sense 1a
2
: a light self-propelled tracked vehicle built either for traveling over snow, ice, or sand or as an amphibious vehicle
3
: a sneaky, untrustworthy, or insincere person

Illustration of weasel

Illustration of weasel
  • weasel 1

weasel

2 of 2

verb

weaseled; weaseling ˈwēz-liŋ How to pronounce weasel (audio)
ˈwē-zə-

intransitive verb

1
: to use weasel words : equivocate
2
: to escape from or evade a situation or obligation
often used with out

transitive verb

: to manipulate shiftily

Examples of weasel in a Sentence

Verb the polite guest chose to weasel rather than admit that he didn't like the meal
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Noun
Observations on the efficiency of the Japanese weasel, Mustela sibirica itatsi Temminck and Schlegel, as a rat-control agent in the Ryukyus PLOS ONE. Allison Futterman, Discover Magazine, 6 Nov. 2024 Peter Sarsgaard was turning his character into a despicable little weasel through a masterclass of smirks. Brian Grubb, Vulture, 23 Aug. 2024
Verb
Trying to weasel things by providing additional levels is abhorrent. Lance Eliot, Forbes, 20 Nov. 2024 But when Douglas doesn’t invite her to the business dinner, the show suddenly takes a turn into wacky sitcom territory, with Maxine trying to weasel her way into Douglas’s business to meet and invite the Prince to the Beach Ball. Tom Smyth, Vulture, 10 Apr. 2024 See all Example Sentences for weasel 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English wesele, from Old English weosule; akin to Old High German wisula weasel

Verb

weasel word

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1900, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of weasel was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near weasel

Cite this Entry

“Weasel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/weasel. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

weasel

noun
wea·​sel
ˈwē-zəl
plural weasels
1
or plural weasel : any of various small slender active mammals that are related to the minks, eat small animals (as mice and birds), and in northern regions turn white in winter compare ermine sense 1
2
: a sneaky, untrustworthy, or dishonest person

More from Merriam-Webster on weasel

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