guile

[gahyl] / gaɪl /

NOUN

slyness, cleverness

Synonyms

STRONGEST

trickery

STRONG

artfulness artifice chicanery craft craftiness cunning deceit deception dishonesty dissimulation duplicity jive ruse sellout treachery trickiness wiliness

WEAK

dirty dealing dirty pool dirty trick dirty work dissemblance double-cross foul play runaround sharp practice stab in the back

Antonyms

STRONG

forthrightness frankness honesty honor openness sincerity trustworthiness truth truthfulness uprightness

WEAK

artlessness naïveté

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.

McInnes saluted Kerjota for his guile in taking players on and unlocking a defence that at times made you think that a miraculous act of escapology was possible.

From BBC • Apr. 26, 2026

The hosts lacked the guile to unlock a stubborn defence once again in the second half - just a week after failing to find the back of the net against bottom of the table Wolves.

From BBC • Jan. 25, 2026

Like Julien Duvivier and François Truffaut before him, Kiarostami captures their innocence and guile with righteous force.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 27, 2025

Harmer outdid the Indian spinners in their own den with his guile and turn.

From Barron's • Nov. 26, 2025

I had never before seen him smile without guile.

From "Ella Enchanted" by Gail Carson Levine

Vocabulary lists containing guile

The Crucible

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"The Crucible" -- Vocabulary from all 4 Acts

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Grade 11, List 2

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