Meaning & use
cunningly
Last updated
In a clever, deceptive, or crafty way, especially in order to achieve something.
See it in a sentence
The fox cunningly slipped past the guards while they were distracted.
The plot was cunningly designed to mislead the reader until the final chapter.
A note on using this word
Usually carries a slightly negative or sly connotation, though it can also express admiration for clever design or strategy.
Words with a similar meaning
craftilyslyly
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Words with an opposite meaning
openlyhonestly
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