shiftiness

NOUN

indirection

Synonyms

STRONG

artifice bunk cheating chicane chicanery corruption craft craftiness criminality crookedness cunning deceit deviousness dishonesty double-dealing duplicity faithlessness falsehood falsity flimflam fraud fraudulence graft guile hocus-pocus infamy infidelity insidiousness mendacity perfidiousness perfidy racket rascality shadiness slyness sneakiness stealing swindle treachery trickery trickiness unscrupulousness wiliness

WEAK

fourberie hanky-panky improbity sharp practice underhandedness

Antonyms

STRONG

artlessness constancy fairness faithfulness fidelity forthrightness frankness goodness honesty honor innocence loyalty openness reality sincerity truth truthfulness

NOUN

deceit

Synonyms

STRONG

ambidexterity ambidextrousness artifice cheating chicane chicanery craft craftiness cunning deceitfulness deception dishonesty dissimulation double-dealing duplicity fraud fraudulence guile hypocrisy imposition pretense slyness trapping treachery trickery

WEAK

cozening defrauding dirty dealing dirty pool dissemblance entrapping overreaching smoke and mirrors two-facedness two-timing underhandedness

Antonyms

STRONG

artlessness fairness forthrightness frankness honesty honor openness reality sincerity trustworthiness truth truthfulness

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Some readers may be mollified by this—or amused by Mr. Pappalardo’s explanation that telling the tale of Borger required some shiftiness since “it’s just that kind of town.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 24, 2026

Especially with fellow guard Gabe Vincent missing his fourth game because of a back injury Sunday, the Lakers need Smith’s ball handling and shiftiness alongside James and Doncic.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 29, 2025

The “This Week” host grilled Vance about the Homan bribery report and criticized Vance’s shiftiness.

From Salon • Oct. 12, 2025

For a long while, Newsom’s shiftiness seemed to elude his self-perception.

From Slate • Aug. 26, 2025

A hundred expressions chased each other across Loki’s face: cunning and shiftiness, truculence and confusion.

From "Norse Mythology" by Neil Gaiman

shiftiness

Example Sentences

Related Words