Synonyms for

Crafty

Verb / ˈkræfti: / Another word for crafty — explore alternatives below. For syllable breakdowns and pronunciation, see this word on Syllablesworld.

Definition

having or showing skill in achieving one's ends by deceit or evasion

Synonyms & similar words

sly guileful wily foxy knavish tricky slick cunning tricksy dodgy sly cunning wily devious tricky scheming cagey shrewd artful cannily craftsmanlike cunningly deceitful designing dexterous dodgy foxy guileful slyly

Synonyms by register

Formal

cunning devious wily sly

Informal

shrewd clever tricky sneaky

Literary

foxy subtle

Antonyms

honest naive innocent artless guileless straightforward open

Common collocations

  • crafty plan
  • crafty move
  • crafty individual
  • crafty scheme
  • crafty mind
  • crafty device
  • crafty fox

Word family

noun craft
adjective crafty
adverb craftily

Usage note

Crafty often implies a negative connotation of deceit or trickery, though it can sometimes be used more neutrally to describe cleverness or skill in achieving a goal.

Example sentences

  1. The crafty cat caught the mouse by pretending to sleep.
  2. The crafty salesman convinced me to buy a car I didn't really need.
  3. The crafty politician avoided giving a straight answer to the reporter's question.
  4. The crafty magician made the coin disappear and reappear in his hand.
  5. The crafty thief stole the diamond necklace from the jewelry store without anyone noticing.

Quotes

  • The craftiest trickery are too cunning to be detected.
  • A crafty knave needs no broker.
  • A crafty person is always interested in their own advantage.

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