SLICK Synonyms: 408 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'slick' distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of slick are artful , crafty , cunning , foxy , sly , tricky , and wily . While all these words mean "attaining or seeking to attain one's ends by guileful or devious means," slick emphasizes smoothness and guile. // slick operators selling time-sharing

Q: When is 'artful' a more appropriate choice than 'slick'?

Although the words artful and slick have much in common, artful implies indirectness in dealing and often connotes sophistication or cleverness. // elicited the information by artful questioning

Q: When can 'crafty' be used instead of 'slick'?

The synonyms crafty and slick are sometimes interchangeable, but crafty implies cleverness and subtlety of method. // a crafty lefthander

Q: When could 'cunning' be used to replace 'slick'?

The meanings of cunning and slick largely overlap; however, cunning suggests the inventive use of sometimes limited intelligence in overreaching or circumventing. // the cunning fox avoided the trap

Q: When would 'foxy' be a good substitute for 'slick'?

While the synonyms foxy and slick are close in meaning, foxy implies a shrewd and wary craftiness usually involving devious dealing. // a foxy publicity man planting stories

Q: When is it sensible to use 'sly' instead of 'slick'?

While in some cases nearly identical to slick , sly implies furtiveness, lack of candor, and skill in concealing one's aims and methods. // a sly corporate raider

Q: Where would 'tricky' be a reasonable alternative to 'slick'?

In some situations, the words tricky and slick are roughly equivalent. However, tricky is more likely to suggest shiftiness and unreliability than skill in deception and maneuvering. // a tricky political operative

Q: When might 'wily' be a better fit than 'slick'?

The words wily and slick can be used in similar contexts, but wily implies skill and deception in maneuvering. // the wily fugitive escaped the posse

slick 1 of 3

adjective

ˈslik

Definition of slick

as in slicked

having or being a surface so smooth as to greatly reduce traction roads are often slick during the first hour of a rainstorm

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in cunning

clever at attaining one's ends by indirect and often deceptive means a slick ad campaign that made smoking look cool and sexy

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in excellent

of the very best kind that's a slick new suit you have on

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

slick

2 of 3

verb

as in to grease

to coat (something) with a slippery substance in order to reduce friction slicking the bottom of their skis with wax

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

slick

3 of 3

noun

as in pictorial

Related Words

as in slicker

Related Words

as in chopper

Related Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word slick distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of slick are artful, crafty, cunning, foxy, sly, tricky, and wily. While all these words mean "attaining or seeking to attain one's ends by guileful or devious means," slick emphasizes smoothness and guile.

slick operators selling time-sharing

When is artful a more appropriate choice than slick?

Although the words artful and slick have much in common, artful implies indirectness in dealing and often connotes sophistication or cleverness.

elicited the information by artful questioning

When can crafty be used instead of slick?

The synonyms crafty and slick are sometimes interchangeable, but crafty implies cleverness and subtlety of method.

a crafty lefthander

When could cunning be used to replace slick?

The meanings of cunning and slick largely overlap; however, cunning suggests the inventive use of sometimes limited intelligence in overreaching or circumventing.

the cunning fox avoided the trap

When would foxy be a good substitute for slick?

While the synonyms foxy and slick are close in meaning, foxy implies a shrewd and wary craftiness usually involving devious dealing.

a foxy publicity man planting stories

When is it sensible to use sly instead of slick?

While in some cases nearly identical to slick, sly implies furtiveness, lack of candor, and skill in concealing one's aims and methods.

a sly corporate raider

Where would tricky be a reasonable alternative to slick?

In some situations, the words tricky and slick are roughly equivalent. However, tricky is more likely to suggest shiftiness and unreliability than skill in deception and maneuvering.

a tricky political operative

When might wily be a better fit than slick?

The words wily and slick can be used in similar contexts, but wily implies skill and deception in maneuvering.

the wily fugitive escaped the posse

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 slick

Adjective

Chen popped in a 30-foot 3-pointer with a minute remaining to give the Valkyries a three-point lead, and then kept the advantage at three with a slick layup over a contest after Chicago scored. — Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 22 Aug. 2026 Ngoy used a slick, fake handoff to rumble into end zone and cap a 26-yard drive. — Dan Albano, Oc Register, 21 Aug. 2026

Verb

They’re scattered over airy slices of ciabatta slicked with mayo. — Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026 Work boots lacked traction, which isn’t ideal when playing on British turf often muddied by rain or slicked by winter frosts. — Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 2 July 2026

Noun

Kiana Palacios’ slick through ball in the 35th minute to Delzer led to the equalizer. — ABC News, 2 Aug. 2026 There was the scene where Jukebox performed at the mall for a talent show, and Kanan was talking slick then. — Ronda Racha Penrice, HollywoodReporter, 31 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for slick

Recent Examples of Synonyms for slick

Adjective

Between rough-cut fringe, mermaid wave extensions, a bouffant side part and a slicked ponytail, Madix and Bembridge fearlessly sampled every style and silhouette in the big book of hair this season.

— Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 13 July 2026
But if opting for a slicked knot that eliminates all natural texture feels a little too intense, a relaxed and romantic ballet bun can provide some welcome balance.

— Calin Van Paris, InStyle, 4 July 2026

Definition of slicked

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

Verb

Rectitude is a hindrance in the game of electoral politics, where money greases the slippery pole and glad-hands welcome the winner with inside information.

— Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 24 Aug. 2026
Recipe Tips for Pink Lemonade Cake Lightly grease the baking sheet with softened butter or nonstick spray before placing the piece of parchment across the bottom.

— Torie Cox, Southern Living, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of grease

Noun

Gibson, then 34, saw the pictorial in a classy, peekaboo way and even had a clothing budget.

— Mark Gray, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2025
By 2010, the magazine was essentially family entertainment compared to the tidal wave of online smut, so a peek-a-boo pictorial of half-naked cybergals didn't seem so risqué.

— Jordan Hoffman, EW.com, 9 July 2025

Definition of pictorial

Noun

City slickers will definitely get a bang for their buck with this place, which is a lot more spacious than a shoebox on the Upper East Side.

— Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 17 Nov. 2025
During the Waleses' trip to Canada in October 1991, Diana made time between touring an AIDS hospice and a women's shelter to join William, 9, and Harry, 7, on a visit to Niagara Falls, where the trio donned rain slickers for a wet and wild voyage on the Maid of the Mist.

— Stephanie Sengwe, People.com, 31 Aug. 2025

Definition of slicker

Noun

Christopher Morel hit a chopper to third base, but Hamilton’s throw was off target.

— Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 25 Aug. 2026
The collision at Carlisle Airport in Cumberland County involved a Cessna 150 and a Bell 407 chopper, the Federal Aviation Administration said.

— Faris Tanyos, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of chopper

Adjective

Experts recommend bathroom flooring be water-resistant, easy to clean, and non-slippery.

— Jason Rueger, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026
Local authorities would rope together timber logs for a makeshift bridge, but in the rainy season, the logs would grow slippery and floods would wash them away.

— Fatma Tanis, NPR, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of slippery

Browse Nearby Words

slicing

slick

slicked

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Style

“Slick.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slick. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of slick

adjective

verb

noun

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