Definitions

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.

But unlike other aging vets who stay afloat with guile and experience, Rose has blended the wisdom of years with a full-on embrace of younger methods, retooling everything from his swing to his fitness routines.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 8, 2026

Howe's side have often lacked the guile to find a way through a low block, which then feeds into their main issue on the road - a lack of goals.

From BBC • Jan. 28, 2026

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

From Barron's • Nov. 26, 2025

"She was hilarious, a complete original, and completely without guile, or any of the competitiveness one would have expected from such a star. What you saw was who she was ... oh, la, lala!"

From BBC • Oct. 11, 2025

I search Horatio’s face, but as always there is no guile in him.

From "Ophelia" by Lisa Klein

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

Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!