wily
10 synonyms and 6 antonyms for wily, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Clever in a sneaky or cunning way, especially at getting what one wants.
Synonyms
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 wily
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
wily old fox
wily negotiator
wily tactics
Etymology
From Middle English wily, built from wile (a crafty trick) + -y.
Full origin of wily →Frequently asked questions
What does “wily” mean?
The word “wily” means clever in a sneaky or cunning way, especially at getting what one wants. In plain terms, cunning and crafty — someone (or something) that outsmarts others through clever tricks.
How do you pronounce “wily”?
“Wily” is pronounced WEYE-lee (/ˈwaɪ.li/ in IPA).
How do you use “wily” in a sentence?
Here is “wily” used in a sentence: “The wily old fox slipped past the hunters again.”
What is the opposite of “wily”?
The opposite of “wily” — its antonyms — are guileless, gullible, honest, ingenuous and naive.
What part of speech is “wily”?
“Wily” is an adjective.
Where does the word “wily” come from?
The word “wily” comes from Middle English. From Middle English wily, built from wile (a crafty trick) + -y.
