dodgy

adjective

ˈdä-jē How to pronounce dodgy (audio)
Definition of dodgynext
chiefly British
1
as in difficult
requiring exceptional skill or caution in performance or handling getting the trade unions to go along with the agreement will be a rather dodgy piece of work

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in cunning
clever at attaining one's ends by indirect and often deceptive means needed a dodgy barrister to get him acquitted of the charge

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in questionable
giving good reason for being doubted, questioned, or challenged the authenticity of the "lost" Shakespearean sonnet was more than a little dodgy

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of dodgy This allows for the eye to fully measure his exploitative changes of speed, and the dodgy shifts in direction that have made him the World Cup’s all-time leading goal scorer. — Sally Jenkins, The Atlantic, 18 July 2026 Looking closely at the photo of the letter in The Saturday Salon’s post reveals some dodgy details. — Jay Peters, The Verge, 11 July 2026 Cue a whole host of dodgy deals and shady string-pulling, not to mention an extramarital affair, as the entirely fictional — but no doubt true to life — character abandons any sense of morality. — Jon O'Brien, Vulture, 26 June 2026 Millions of Americans with obesity are eager to get the drug, with options being limited so far to enrolling in a clinical trial or trying to obtain it by dodgy methods. — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 23 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for dodgy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dodgy
  1. difficult
  2. cunning
  3. questionable
  4. tough
  5. cute
  6. dubious
  7. sensitive
  8. slick
Adjective
  • The losses linked to the demise of these groups are difficult to quantify, but participants and advocates say the impacts will reverberate across federal agencies for years.
    — Katia Riddle, NPR, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Ground surveys can provide more detailed information at a particular site, but covering an entire subway corridor that way would be difficult.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of difficult
Adjective
  • Supporters of the administration view this back and forth as a cunning ploy to buy time for the United States to position itself more advantageously for a confrontation.
    — Leonard A. Schuette, Foreign Affairs, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Owen is bamboozled by a cunning opportunist, handcuffed, and robbed in his underwear.
    — Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of cunning
Adjective
  • Currently at issue are three forms of gambling — two legal, one questionable.
    — Joe Ferguson, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Johnny Marr has another message for those with questionable perspectives.
    — SPIN Staff, SPIN, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of questionable
Adjective
  • The war, and in particular Iran’s direct targeting of the Gulf, makes this approach a tough pill to swallow.
    — Dina Esfandiary, Foreign Affairs, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The conversation shifted from tougher ordinances toward resource allocation and investing in third spaces, which are places outside of work, school or home.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of tough
Adjective
  • But don’t let the cute style fool you—this look is super practical, too.
    — Kayla Becker, Travel + Leisure, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Continue down Main Street in Catskill to find tons of the cute shops upstate New York is known for, in particular Stay Forever for gifts, Spike’s for records, and Magpie for used books.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of cute
Adjective
  • Overt leaflet and loudspeaker campaigns, which the US military also used during the Gulf War and in Iraq and Afghanistan, were meant to weaken morale and instill fear (to dubious success).
    — Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Though the current protests were sparked by the Kushner’s access to advantages from the Albanian government, the Sazan Island incident was a greater representation of Rama’s many dubious dealings.
    — Naomi Tomky, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of dubious
Adjective
  • Those could include remote sensors, autonomous underwater vehicles and other equipment that requires persistent, low-visibility power in remote and sensitive offshore and coastal environments, as well as power resiliency for forward military bases.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Musk’s officials infiltrated department after department, canceling contracts, firing employees, viewing sensitive data, and kneecapping programs related to diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as foreign aid.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of sensitive
Adjective
  • Paranormal Activity, the play, builds to the sort of slick and grisly finale that would be just right for the end of a cruel horror movie, but that lands awkwardly onstage.
    — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The government’s YouTube series featuring the transportation secretary is slick, well-made and about the Duffys, not the nation.
    — Monica Hesse, Washington Post, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of slick

Browse Nearby Words

dodging
dodgy
dodo
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Cite this Entry

“Dodgy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dodgy. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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