1
as in shady
given to acting in secret and to concealing one's intentions
shifty politicians making deals to channel federal funds into their districts
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in deceptive
given to or marked by cheating and deception
shifty practices such as turning back the odometers on used cars
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of shifty
Pritchard is shifty and swaggering, with a quick release and a smooth pump fake.
—
Steven Louis Goldstein, The Athletic, 23 Feb. 2025
The King’s Academy forward is shifty, but doesn’t play fast.
—Nathan Canilao, The Mercury News, 6 Feb. 2025
In an era of big point guards like Luka Dončić, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and James Harden, the smaller, shiftier players like Dillingham are becoming more unique.
—Jon Krawczynski, The Athletic, 23 Jan. 2025
Gor’s mercenaries are soon on their tails, along with MI6, led by Baron (Andrew Scott), a shifty type with a longtime crush on Emily, despite not making it past the first date years earlier.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
See All Example Sentences for shifty
Steven Louis Goldstein, The Athletic, 23 Feb. 2025
The King’s Academy forward is shifty, but doesn’t play fast.
—Nathan Canilao, The Mercury News, 6 Feb. 2025
In an era of big point guards like Luka Dončić, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and James Harden, the smaller, shiftier players like Dillingham are becoming more unique.
—Jon Krawczynski, The Athletic, 23 Jan. 2025
Gor’s mercenaries are soon on their tails, along with MI6, led by Baron (Andrew Scott), a shifty type with a longtime crush on Emily, despite not making it past the first date years earlier.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
See All Example Sentences for shifty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shifty
Adjective
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It’s implied that before going into construction, Levon had brought his military training into civilian life in some shady (though likely heroic) capacity or another — maybe even kidnap recovery.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
26 Mar. 2025
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During a recent conversation with legendary radio host Big Boy, the 26-year-old spoke about her haters and shady tension that led to this notion.—
Mya Abraham,
VIBE.com,
25 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Stricter consumer protection laws worldwide mean businesses face mounting scrutiny and potential legal repercussions for deceptive claims.—
Anjali Chaudhry,
Forbes,
23 Mar. 2025
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Issues concerning the scheme arise when the business utilizing it sells the data of consumers without proper consent or for deceptive purposes, as this could violate laws, the company said.—
Jonathan Limehouse,
USA TODAY,
20 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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One was sneaky, shooting around the defending player.—
Omar White,
The Athletic,
21 Mar. 2025
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Read Next Editorials Effort to divide Keller schools was sneaky to the end.—
Elizabeth Campbell,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
15 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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This minimizes the risk of landing on a fraudulent page designed to mimic a legitimate website.—
Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report,
FOXNews.com,
31 Mar. 2025
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If the auditor comes to believe that the taxpayer engaged in fraudulent behavior, the auditor must stop the audit and refer the matter to Criminal Investigation (CI).—
Bruce Brumberg,
Forbes.com,
31 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Tampa Bay is one of the most crooked places in America, according to fraud report data from the Federal Trade Commission.—
Martin Vassolo,
Axios,
20 Mar. 2025
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Talley also said the pathway of the bullet as the pathologist in the case testified disproves any legal theory that Ferguson’s arm was crooked at a 45-degree angle.—
Hetty Chang,
NBC News,
14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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All Republicans in the General Assembly are lame ducks and Shoemaker is being dishonest in his criticism of me for not towing the party’s strategy of failure.—
Christopher Eric Bouchat,
Baltimore Sun,
26 Mar. 2025
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Their termination e-mails were short, impersonal, and, in many cases, dishonest.—
E. Tammy Kim,
The New Yorker,
25 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shifty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shifty. Accessed 6 Apr. 2025.
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