sleights

noun

plural of sleight
as in ruses
a clever often underhanded means to achieve an end must have employed some sophisticated sleight to con that wary couple out of their money

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 sleights Curtsies, snubs, sleights and behavior becoming (or unbecoming) of a Regency woman must pass a certain muster, because the world of the play is dependent upon dramaturgical accuracy. — David John Chávez, Mercury News, 30 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sleights
  1. ruses
  2. tricks
  3. schemes
  4. devices
Noun
  • There’s a delightful secret history of Hollywood directors whose ruses and stratagems bought them an unusual amount of leeway with their scripts.
    — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Even before pro-party AI ruses were possible, the Chinese government and its supporters flooded social media with pro-China propaganda and vicious attacks on critics.
    — Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 7 July 2026
Definition of ruses
Noun
  • At home in Makhaza township, about 40 minutes from the college, Lubelo spends his free time watching magic shows online and practicing tricks on his brothers and parents.
    — Julie Bourdin, NPR, 25 Oct. 2026
  • The practical special effects seem to be on the booer’s side, leaning on stagy but charming in-camera tricks that have gone out of style, like switching actors between close-ups.
    — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of tricks
Noun
  • The prevalence of money laundering schemes is an indication to Hall that more regulations are needed to address retail theft.
    — Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Bill Essayli traded barbs at dueling healthcare fraud news conferences in downtown Los Angeles on Thursday morning, sniping at each other over billions lost to benefits schemes and the increasingly politicized efforts to stop them.
    — Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of schemes
Noun
  • For the tinkering types, Meta also released open weights for Muse’s code to help people connect it to a range of other devices.
    — Marty Swant, Washington Post, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Chinese clinical tools, medical devices, and enabling technologies are likely to become increasingly central, as well.
    — Ruby Wang, semafor.com, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of devices

Browse Nearby Words

sleight of hand
sleights
sleights of hand
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Cite this Entry

“Sleights.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sleights. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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