Synonyms for

Dodgy

Verb Another word for dodgy — explore alternatives below. For syllable breakdowns and pronunciation, see this word on Syllablesworld.

Definition

not reliable; of low quality

Synonyms & similar words

sly chanceful guileful wily foxy chancy knavish tricky dicey slick cunning tricksy crafty shady sketchy dubious questionable suspicious unreliable uncertain untrustworthy fishy iffy deceptive tricky flawed faulty imperfect inferior substandard defective unsound unsteady

Synonyms by register

Formal

questionable dubious unreliable precarious

Informal

shady sketchy fishy iffy ropey

Literary

tenuous unstable fickle

Antonyms

reliable trustworthy dependable safe honest legitimate sound

Common collocations

  • dodgy dealings
  • dodgy characters
  • dodgy food
  • dodgy knee
  • dodgy gear
  • dodgy wifi
  • dodgy past

Word family

adjective dodgy

Usage note

Primarily used in informal British English to describe something or someone that is not to be trusted or is of questionable quality or safety. Can refer to people, situations, or objects.

Example sentences

  1. The man had a dodgy mustache and made the children feel uncomfortable.
  2. I'm not sure if I want to buy this dodgy-looking meat.
  3. The website seemed a bit dodgy, so I didn't enter my credit card information.
  4. The stairs were old and dodgy, so we had to be careful climbing them.
  5. The deal seemed a bit dodgy, so we decided not to invest our money.

Quotes

  • I'm feeling a bit dodgy today.
  • That guy looks dodgy, I don't trust him.
  • I wouldn't eat that dodgy-looking food if I were you.

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