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Definitions

conniving

[kuh-nahy-ving] / kəˈnaɪ vɪŋ /
ADJECTIVE
collusive
Synonyms
WEAK
tricky
ADJECTIVE
designing
Synonyms
STRONG
Machiavellian conspiring crooked cunning intriguing scheming sharp
WEAK
artful astute deceitful devious heedful observant shrewd sly treacherous tricky unscrupulous wily
Antonyms
STRONG
aboveboard honest kind
WEAK
artless not clever unplanned
ADJECTIVE
diplomatic
Synonyms
STRONGEST
conciliatory gracious polite strategic
WEAK
adept arch artful astute bland brainy cagey calculating capable clever contriving courteous crafty cunning deft delicate dexterous discreet guileful intriguing opportunistic prudent savvy scheming sensitive sharp shrewd sly smooth suave subtle wily
Antonyms
STRONGEST
rude
WEAK
artless impolite tactless
ADJECTIVE
Machiavellian
Synonyms
STRONG
cunning expedient opportunist
WEAK
artful astute calculating contriving crafty deceitful devious plotting shrewd sly underhanded unscrupulous wily
ADJECTIVE
scheming
Synonyms
STRONGEST
calculating crafty duplicitous wily
STRONG
designing
WEAK
artful cunning foxy slippery tricky underhand
Antonyms
STRONGEST
naive
WEAK
aboveboard honest open
ADJECTIVE
shifty
Synonyms
STRONGEST
cagey crafty shrewd slippery sneaky tricky wily
WEAK
collusive contriving crooked cunning devious dishonest dodging duplicitous elusive equivocating evasive fly-by-night foxy fraudulent furtive insidious lying mendacious prevaricative prevaricatory roguish scheming shady shuffling slick slimy sly treacherous underhand unhonest unprincipled untruthful
Antonyms
STRONGEST
aboveboard frank honest naive
WEAK
forthright trustworthy
ADJECTIVE
sly
Synonyms
STRONGEST
canny impish ingenious intriguing mischievous roguish shrewd smart subtle
WEAK
arch artful astute bluffing cagey calculating captious covert crafty crooked cunning deceitful deceptive delusive designing dishonest dishonorable dissembling double-dealing elusive foxy furtive guileful illusory insidious mean plotting scheming secret sharp shifty slick smooth sneaking stealthy traitorous treacherous tricky underhand unscrupulous wily
Antonyms
STRONGEST
foolish inept stupid
WEAK
honest open simple straight straightforward
ADJECTIVE
sneaking
Synonyms
STRONG
arch bluffing calculating crooked designing dissembling intriguing mean plotting scheming slick smart smooth
WEAK
artful astute cagey canny captious covert crafty cunning deceitful deceptive delusive dishonest dishonorable double-dealing elusive foxy furtive guileful illusory impish ingenious insidious mischievous roguish secret secretive sharp shifty shrewd sneaky stealthy subtle surreptitious traitorous treacherous tricky underhand unscrupulous wily
Antonyms
STRONG
aboveboard artless honest
ADJECTIVE
untrustworthy
Synonyms
STRONGEST
deceitful dishonest disloyal false irresponsible treacherous unreliable unsafe
STRONG
untrusty
WEAK
capricious crooked devious dubious fair-weather faithless fickle fink fly-by-night guileful questionable shady sharp shifty slippery sneaky tricky trustless two-faced two-timing unassured undependable unsure untrue
Antonyms
STRONGEST
faithful frank harmless honest loyal open reliable responsible true trustworthy truthful
WEAK
dependable
NOUN
plot
Synonyms
STRONGEST
conspiracy design maneuver scam trick
STRONG
artifice cabal collusion complicity connivance contrivance device fix frame frame-up game intrigue machination practice ruse setup stratagem
WEAK
booby trap covin little game
Antonyms
STRONG
ignorance innocence

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.

I love their coach, their quarterback, their coolness, their momentum, their journey without the conniving Bill Belichick.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 6, 2026

At a Saturday briefing for high ranking military officers first reported by the Journal, Gen. Zhang was accused of everything from conniving at corruption with family members to spilling nuclear secrets to the U.S.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 26, 2026

"Marty Supreme," starring Oscars frontrunner Timothee Chalamet as a conniving 1950s table tennis player with big dreams, finished in fifth place at $6.7 million.

From Barron's • Jan. 18, 2026

The traitors were completed by chat show host Ross and singer Cat Burns - both of whom seem to have more of the conniving mindset needed for a great traitor.

From BBC • Oct. 8, 2025

“He’s been a source of conniving and cajolery in this community long enough,” Mrs. Larkin continued.

From "Moon Over Manifest" by Clare Vanderpool