guile
12 synonyms and 5 antonyms for guile, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — Clever, often sly or dishonest, cunning used to deceive or manipulate.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use guile
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
use guile
full of guile
without guile
Etymology
From Old French guile ("deception"), ultimately from a Frankish word for "ruse," related to "wile."
Full origin of guile →Frequently asked questions
What does “guile” mean?
The word “guile” means clever, often sly or dishonest, cunning used to deceive or manipulate. In plain terms, crafty, deceptive cleverness — getting your way through trickery rather than force.
How do you pronounce “guile”?
“Guile” is pronounced gyl (/ɡaɪl/ in IPA).
How do you use “guile” in a sentence?
Here is “guile” used in a sentence: “He got the deal done through sheer guile rather than honest negotiation.”
What part of speech is “guile”?
“Guile” is a noun.
Where does the word “guile” come from?
The word “guile” comes from Old French. From Old French guile ("deception"), ultimately from a Frankish word for "ruse," related to "wile.".
