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Definitions

slippery

[slip-uh-ree, slip-ree] / ˈslɪp ə ri, ˈslɪp ri /
ADJECTIVE
smooth, slick
Synonyms
STRONGEST
glistening greasy icy perilous polished silky unsafe unstable wet
WEAK
glacé glassy glazed like a skating rink lubricious lustrous satiny sleek slimy soapy unctuous unsteady waxy
Antonyms
STRONGEST
dry safe secure
WEAK
unslippery
ADJECTIVE
uncertain, unreliable
Synonyms
STRONGEST
elusive shifty slick smooth treacherous tricky unpredictable unsafe unstable
WEAK
cagey changeable crafty cunning devious dishonest duplicitous evasive false fly-by-night foxy inconstant insecure mutable slithery sneaky two-faced unsteady untrustworthy variable
Antonyms
STRONGEST
forthright frank harmless honest rough
WEAK
certain definite reliable stable

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.

Admittedly, answering emails on the weekend can be a slippery slope.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 18, 2026

Another practical argument against the bill has been concerns about a "slippery slope", with campaigners pointing to Belgium and Canada where assisted deaths have risen as eligibility criteria have expanded.

From BBC • Mar. 16, 2026

But I did enjoy the montage of people sliding on slippery lanes; that stuff never gets old.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 16, 2026

The unexpected material proved extremely slippery and heat resistant and later became widely used in nonstick cookware and industrial applications.

From Science Daily • Mar. 14, 2026

Ophie sank down into a curtsy, tricky with the heavy tray and the slippery shoes.

From "Ophie's Ghosts" by Justina Ireland

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.