GUILES Synonyms: 115 Similar and Opposite Words

guile

noun

ˈgī(-ə)l

Definition of guile

as in cunning

skill in achieving one's ends through indirect, subtle, or underhanded means a shady salesman who usually relies on a combination of quick thinking and guile

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as in deception

the inclination or practice of misleading others through lies or trickery a person so full of guile he can't even be trusted to give you the correct time of day

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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 guile The high stakes and the frenzied crowds annually inspire hockey players who can handle them to ever-higher levels of grit, guile and greatness. — ABC News, 7 May 2026 The label cut its teeth with 12 inches and compilations but The Black Dog produced [one] album of breath-taking technical guile. — Liza Lentini, SPIN, 1 May 2026 In other districts, however, the wealthy pastoralists managed by guile and financial manipulation to evade the land acts, and very many of them acquired freeholds to large estates at low prices, especially in the fertile Western District. — Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 19 Mar. 2026 While the Heat have a variety of youthful options in their backcourt hierarchy ahead of Young, from the defensive guile of Davion Mitchell, to the youthful creativity of Kasparas Jakucionis, to the veteran steadiness of Dru Smith, Young is the type of speed guard rarely featured by the franchise. — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 17 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for guile

Recent Examples of Synonyms for guile

Noun

Honest Abe is forced to scheme, relying on grit and cunning to win the votes to abolish slavery.

— Kevin P. Sullivan, Entertainment Weekly, 26 June 2026
Unable to outrun the Bitchfist, the Hand earns his reputation for cunning and courage.

— Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 22 June 2026

Definition of cunning

Noun

Harry and the six other high-profile claimants failed to prove their allegations that the publisher unlawfully obtained private information through methods including private investigators, deception, phone hacking and corrupt payments.

— Erin Hill, PEOPLE, 7 July 2026
Alleged privacy breaches include voicemail interception, phone hacking and obtaining personal information through deception.

— Jennifer Hassan, USA Today, 7 July 2026

Definition of deception

Noun

Of course, the retort is that this would be irritating and exasperating to be continually deluged with alerts about AI deceptiveness.

— Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 24 Aug. 2025
Beyond the deceptiveness of the narrow material view, spiritual light and hope are always present to be found and felt.

— Sue Brightman, Christian Science Monitor, 3 Jan. 2025

Definition of deceptiveness

Noun

Antisocial personality includes a persistent pattern of traits such as callousness, lack of concern, deceitfulness, and irresponsibility, Ryan said.

— Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Apr. 2026
Perfidy — from the French perfidie via the Latin perfidia — means deceitfulness, treachery or a breach of faith or promise.

— Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 21 Jan. 2026

Definition of deceitfulness

Noun

Kidan pleaded guilty in 2005 to fraud and conspiracy related to the purchase of a fleet of gambling boats, and in 2006 he was sentenced to nearly six years in prison.

— Michelle L. Price, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2026
Google also said the devices were used for ad fraud and other digital crimes.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026

Definition of fraud

Noun

Researchers say this kind of chatbot cheating is common, increasing, and a significant warning sign.

— Derek Newton, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
Throughout her time on the show, Batula experienced the ups and downs of her relationship with Cooke, which included multiple cheating allegations on his part.

— Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 29 June 2026

Definition of cheating

Browse Nearby Words

guilds

guile

guileful

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“Guile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/guile. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of guile

noun

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