SHIFTY Synonyms: 84 Similar and Opposite Words

shifty

adjective

ˈshif-tē

Definition of shifty

as in shady

given to acting in secret and to concealing one's intentions shifty politicians making deals to channel federal funds into their districts

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in deceptive

given to or marked by cheating and deception shifty practices such as turning back the odometers on used cars

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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 shifty That is, until the defense brought pressure and star defensive lineman Zach Sieler pushed past the rookie offensive lineman with ease and got to Malik Willis before the shifty quarterback could make a move. — Miami Herald, 1 Aug. 2026 Coach Kyle Shanahan remained very high on Pearsall and was excited about an offense that would have newcomer Mike Evans, George Kittle and Christian McCaffrey setting up the shifty Pearsall to beat defensive backs one-on-one. — Matt Barrows, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026 He’s joined by shifty freshmen Rasean Jones and Terrious Favors, while upperclassman transfers Akeem Wright and Darren Morris add an extra layer of height and size to the group. — Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 26 July 2026 His long white oval scleras and perfect-circle black pupils, sometimes open and sometimes closed, are always inexplicably expressive—managing to seem happy, sad, scared, sleepy, shifty, angry, eager, alarmed, mischievous, or murderous. — Casey Cep, New Yorker, 7 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for shifty

Recent Examples of Synonyms for shifty

Adjective

But for now, CyberLeek is trying to monetize the GTA 6 leaks by asking for shady donations.

— Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 25 Aug. 2026
Others sat in shady spots on Montrose Avenue where the parade units combined with waiting community groups to end the parade at the festival grounds.

— Karie Angell Luc, Chicago Tribune, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of shady

Adjective

Meta will be subject to an injunction prohibiting it from making further false, misleading, or deceptive statements around its safety features.

— Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 26 Aug. 2026
The agency has said deceptive or unfair data practices can violate existing consumer protection laws.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of deceptive

Adjective

One of Braun’s strengths is an almost sneaky explosiveness combined with reckless abandon — whether sprinting on run-outs, squirting free on back-door cuts, throwing his body into the paint, or rising high to finish open looks from beyond the arc.

— Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 25 Aug. 2026
Even if Jacobs gets the majority of goal-line work, Lloyd could be a sneaky RB3/Flex.

— Jake Ciely, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of sneaky

Adjective

Tashia McKenzie, 36, faces one count each of fraudulent claim or receipt of benefits and second-degree larceny, the Connecticut Division of Criminal Justice said in a news release Tuesday.

— Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 25 Aug. 2026
Verification can be particularly important because fraudulent job listings have become a concern for applicants and job platforms alike.

— Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of fraudulent

Adjective

Cowin soon shifted to straighter technical methods applied to crooked storylines.

— Leah Ollman, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026
In addition, there are crooked cops on the inside trying to spring El Chapo, so the arresting officers need to quickly figure out who to trust.

— K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of crooked

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shifts

shifty

shigellosis

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

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Synonyms of shifty

adjective

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