tricky

adjective

ˈtri-kē How to pronounce tricky (audio)
Definition of trickynext
1
as in difficult
requiring exceptional skill or caution in performance or handling a tricky musical passage for the woodwind section

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in cunning
clever at attaining one's ends by indirect and often deceptive means he's a tricky one, so be careful when dealing with him

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word tricky distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of tricky are artful, crafty, cunning, foxy, slick, sly, and wily. While all these words mean "attaining or seeking to attain one's ends by guileful or devious means," tricky is more likely to suggest shiftiness and unreliability than skill in deception and maneuvering.

a tricky political operative

When can artful be used instead of tricky?

While the synonyms artful and tricky are close in meaning, artful implies indirectness in dealing and often connotes sophistication or cleverness.

elicited the information by artful questioning

When is it sensible to use crafty instead of tricky?

While in some cases nearly identical to tricky, crafty implies cleverness and subtlety of method.

a crafty lefthander

When might cunning be a better fit than tricky?

The words cunning and tricky can be used in similar contexts, but cunning suggests the inventive use of sometimes limited intelligence in overreaching or circumventing.

the cunning fox avoided the trap

When would foxy be a good substitute for tricky?

The synonyms foxy and tricky are sometimes interchangeable, but foxy implies a shrewd and wary craftiness usually involving devious dealing.

a foxy publicity man planting stories

When is slick a more appropriate choice than tricky?

In some situations, the words slick and tricky are roughly equivalent. However, slick emphasizes smoothness and guile.

slick operators selling time-sharing

When could sly be used to replace tricky?

The words sly and tricky are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, sly implies furtiveness, lack of candor, and skill in concealing one's aims and methods.

a sly corporate raider

Where would wily be a reasonable alternative to tricky?

The meanings of wily and tricky largely overlap; however, wily implies skill and deception in maneuvering.

the wily fugitive escaped the posse

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of tricky But, as Stein noted, the financial element could make a Holiday deal tricky to pull off. —Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 27 May 2025 The answer to this question is tricky, and deeply personal. —Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 27 May 2025 That leg, which includes steep embankments and other tricky engineering and construction, carries a cost estimate of just more than $11 million. —The Vail Daily, Denver Post, 27 May 2025 Large and resilient produce like sweet potatoes and beets, or small, tricky vegetables like radishes, become simple to cut with a razor-sharp mandoline slicer. —Bestreviews, Mercury News, 27 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for tricky
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tricky
  1. difficult
  2. cunning
  3. tough
  4. cute
  5. sensitive
  6. subtle
  7. problematic
  8. deceptive
Adjective
  • But the fact that Schwartzman, in his first film, was given the difficult task of stealing laughs away from a comedy legend, and so often succeeds in doing so, gives him the slight edge.
    — Shannon Carlin, Time, 30 May 2025
  • These connections are difficult to make from within, but consultants are trained to see across boundaries.
    — Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
Definition of difficult
Adjective
  • Hawkins knows exactly how to play Laura’s cheery psychopathy and cunning cruelties, and Wong, in her first film role, gives Piper a spirited independence.
    — Jeannette Catsoulis, New York Times, 29 May 2025
  • Rigg’s voice is sharp and engrossing, her characters cunning but affable.
    — Isle McElroy, Vulture, 21 May 2025
Definition of cunning
Adjective
  • There are powerful levers to pull if Trump chooses, like increasing US military aid or imposing tough new sanctions, such as those overwhelmingly supported in the US Senate.
    — Matthew Chance, CNN Money, 3 June 2025
  • Every day, Russia gives new reasons for tougher sanctions and stronger support for our defense.
    — David Brennan, ABC News, 3 June 2025
Definition of tough
Adjective
  • The knotted fabric straps have an elevated look, making these cute enough to wear with your favorite sundresses and skirts.
    — Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 1 June 2025
  • Shows can only be so cute or funny or familiar or fresh.
    — Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 28 May 2025
Definition of cute
Adjective
  • Tian also allegedly sent additional sensitive data on U.S. weapons systems.
    — Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 30 May 2025
  • Other lawsuits have focused on one area DOGE has seen great success in: amassing sensitive government data and combining it into massive databases.
    — Stephen Fowler, NPR, 30 May 2025
Definition of sensitive
Adjective
  • Arthritis in your fingers often starts with subtle changes.
    — Brandi Jones, Health, 25 May 2025
  • The navy, white, and subtle red palette nods to the seaside and seamlessly blends into Printemps' signature French elegance.
    — Roxanne Robinson, Forbes.com, 25 May 2025
Definition of subtle
Adjective
  • Baltimore City Hall leaders acknowledged on Wednesday that squatting and social media networks potentially profiting from such activities are problematic.
    — Gary Collins, Baltimore Sun, 23 May 2025
  • Some nutrients in sunflower seeds may be problematic if overconsumed.
    — Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 23 May 2025
Definition of problematic
Adjective
  • Last year, the Biden administration's Transportation Department opened an inquiry ordering American, Delta Air Lines, Southwest and United to provide records and submit reports to ensure consumers do not face unfair, deceptive, or anticompetitive practices.
    — David Shepardson, USA Today, 3 June 2025
  • The quest to build human-level AI agents using techniques known to produce deceptive tendencies, Bengio says, is comparable to a car speeding down a narrow mountain road, with steep cliffs on either side, and thick fog obscuring the path ahead.
    — Harry Booth, Time, 3 June 2025
Definition of deceptive

Browse Nearby Words

tricksy
tricky
tricolor
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Cite this Entry

“Tricky.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tricky. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.

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