as in cunning
clever at attaining one's ends by indirect and often deceptive means
a wily judge of character, she takes advantage of car buyers' insecurities to sell them a bigger machine than they really need
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Recent Examples of wily
Still, there’s a lot of wily, seasoned talent in that squad, including Sergio Ramos, Óliver Torres and Lucas Ocampos, who know a thing or two about the big stage.
—
Brett Koremenos, New York Times, 13 June 2025
Henriette protects Antonin by being wily enough to successfully keep their relationship a secret from Fouché for a few episodes.
—Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 11 June 2025
Sporting a bushy salt-and-pepper beard and a world-weary look in his eyes, Pearce finds dimensions both tragic and devious in what could have been merely the stock character of the wily long-term inmate whose isolation has cost him his humanity.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 10 June 2025
From Congress to prison Weiner, a brash and ambitious politician whose New York accent and wily, kinetic style made for solid theater on the House floor, was once someone worth watching in the Democratic Party.
—Anthony Izaguirre, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for wily
Brett Koremenos, New York Times, 13 June 2025
Henriette protects Antonin by being wily enough to successfully keep their relationship a secret from Fouché for a few episodes.
—Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 11 June 2025
Sporting a bushy salt-and-pepper beard and a world-weary look in his eyes, Pearce finds dimensions both tragic and devious in what could have been merely the stock character of the wily long-term inmate whose isolation has cost him his humanity.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 10 June 2025
From Congress to prison Weiner, a brash and ambitious politician whose New York accent and wily, kinetic style made for solid theater on the House floor, was once someone worth watching in the Democratic Party.
—Anthony Izaguirre, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for wily
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wily
Adjective
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Honest Abe is forced to scheme, relying on grit and cunning to win the votes to abolish slavery.—
EW Staff Published,
EW.com,
4 July 2025
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Of all the acts, though, Sudanese American vocalist Dua Saleh was the most subdued, swaying between heart-fluttering falsettos and cunning raps.—
Olivier Lafontant,
Pitchfork,
27 June 2025
Adjective
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Because linen pants are comfortable and cute, the options are endless.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
19 July 2025
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Fortunately, Amazon is having a massive sale on cute linen clothes, and prices start at just $20.—
Emily Weaver,
People.com,
19 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Wily.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wily. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
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