TRICKY: Synonyms and Related Words. What is Another Word for TRICKY?

Need another word that means the same as “tricky”? Find 32 synonyms and 30 related words for “tricky” in this overview.

The synonyms of “Tricky” are: catchy, slippery, crafty, cunning, dodgy, foxy, guileful, knavish, slick, sly, tricksy, wily, difficult, awkward, problematic, delicate, ticklish, sensitive, touchy, risky, uncertain, precarious, touch-and-go, artful, devious, scheming, deceitful, deceptive, duplicitous, dishonest, disingenuous, machiavellian

Tricky as an Adjective

Definitions of "Tricky" as an adjective

According to the Oxford Dictionary of English, “tricky” as an adjective can have the following definitions:

  • Having concealed difficulty.
  • Not to be trusted.
  • Deceitful or crafty.
  • (of a task, problem, etc.) requiring care and skill because difficult or awkward.
  • Marked by skill in deception.
  • Not to be trusted- James Agee.

Synonyms of "Tricky" as an adjective (32 Words)

artfulClever or skilful, especially in a crafty or cunning way.
An artful photograph of a striking woman.
awkwardNot elegant or graceful in expression.
His clumsy fingers produced an awkward knot.
catchyLikely to attract attention.
Catchy pop melodies.
craftySkilled at the making of decorative objects and other things by hand.
A crafty crook faked an injury to escape from prison.
cunningHaving or showing skill in achieving one’s ends by deceit or evasion.
A cunning look came into his eyes.
deceitfulIntended to deceive.
Such an act would have been deceitful and irresponsible.
deceptiveCausing one to believe what is not true or fail to believe what is true.
The deceptive calm in the eye of the storm.
delicate(of colour) subtle and subdued.
A delicate flavor.
deviousShowing a skilful use of underhand tactics to achieve goals.
A devious character.
difficultCharacterized by or causing hardships or problems.
Lily could be difficult.
dishonestCapable of being corrupted.
Dishonest politicians.
disingenuousNot straightforward or candid; giving a false appearance of frankness- David Cannadine.
An ambitious disingenuous philistine and hypocritical operator who exemplified the most disagreeable traits of his time.
dodgyMarked by skill in deception.
Spurs dodgy defence had thrown away a 2 0 lead.
duplicitous(of a charge or plea) containing more than one allegation.
A duplicitous philanderer.
foxyMarked by skill in deception.
A foxy lady.
guilefulMarked by skill in deception.
A supremely guileful and deceptive politician.
knavishMarked by skill in deception.
His knavish tricks will be frustrated.
machiavellianOf or relating to Machiavelli or the principles of conduct he recommended.
precariousAffording no ease or reassurance.
A precarious truce.
problematicMaking great mental demands; hard to comprehend or solve or believe.
If you ever get married which seems to be extremely problematic.
riskyInvolving risk or danger.
Their risky patter made the guests laugh.
schemingConcealing crafty designs for advancing your own interest.
They had mean scheming little minds.
sensitiveEasily damaged, injured, or distressed by slight changes.
Sensitive to the local community and its needs.
slickMade slick by e g ice or grease.
A salesperson may be viewed as a slick confidence trickster.
slippery(of a person) evasive and unpredictable; not to be relied on.
The word intended is a decidedly slippery one.
slyShowing in an insinuating way that one has some secret knowledge that may be harmful or embarrassing.
A sly sip of water.
ticklishDifficult to handle; requiring great tact.
Hesitates to be explicit on so ticklish a matter.
touch-and-goFunctioning correctly and ready for action.
touchyEasily upset or offended; oversensitive.
The monarchy has become a touchy topic.
tricksyIngenious, intricate, or complicated.
A tricksy little device.
uncertainNot consistent or dependable.
The weather is uncertain.
wilyMarked by skill in deception.
His wily opponents.

Usage Examples of "Tricky" as an adjective

  • I wouldn't trust her—she's tricky.
  • Applying eyeliner can be a tricky business.
  • A tricky recipe to follow.
  • Tricky Dick.
  • The radio is tricky to operate.

Associations of "Tricky" (30 Words)

appealingAttractive or interesting.
He added an appealing and memorable figure to popular American mythology.
artfulClever or skilful, especially in a crafty or cunning way.
An artful photograph of a striking woman.
artfullyIn a manner that shows creative skill or taste.
Body scanners are turning up artfully concealed items.
astuteMarked by practical hardheaded intelligence.
An astute tenant always reads the small print in a lease.
burdenThe central idea that is expanded in a document or discourse.
They were not yet burdened with adult responsibility.
catchyLikely to attract attention.
Catchy pop melodies.
chicaneryThe use of deception or subterfuge to achieve one’s purpose.
Storylines packed with political chicanery.
covert(of a wife) being under the protection of her husband.
Covert actions by the CIA.
craftyInvolving the making of decorative objects and other things by hand.
They are looking for crafty people to join the group to make ornaments.
cunningHaving or showing skill in achieving one’s ends by deceit or evasion.
Plants have evolved cunning defences.
difficultNeeding much effort or skill to accomplish, deal with, or understand.
A difficult child.
duplicityA fraudulent or duplicitous representation.
The president was accused of duplicity in his dealings with Congress.
elusiveDifficult to remember.
A cabal of conspirators each more elusive than the archterrorist.
fraudulenceThe quality of being fraudulent.
guileSly or cunning intelligence.
He used all his guile and guts to free himself from the muddle he was in.
hardCausing great damage or hardship.
Took a hard look.
irresistiblyIncapable of being resisted.
Their eyes were drawn irresistibly back to the house.
machiavellianA follower of Machiavelli’s principles.
manipulativeExercising unscrupulous control or influence over a person or situation.
She was sly selfish and manipulative.
onerousNot easily borne; wearing.
He found his duties increasingly onerous.
recallAn act or instance of officially recalling someone or something.
He recalled how he felt at the time.
rememberMention as by way of greeting or to indicate friendship.
Remember me in your prayers.
secretive(of a state or activity) characterized by the concealment of intentions and information.
A secretive smile.
skulduggeryVerbal misrepresentation intended to take advantage of you in some way.
A firm that investigates commercial skulduggery.
sly(of an action) surreptitious.
A sly manipulative woman.
slylyIn a cunning and deceitful or manipulative manner.
He slyly manipulates votes.
subtle(of a mixture or effect) delicately complex and understated.
A subtle poison.
trickeryVerbal misrepresentation intended to take advantage of you in some way.
The dealer resorted to trickery.
wileThe use of tricks to deceive someone (usually to extract money from them.
The devious wiles of the politicians.
wilySkilled at gaining an advantage, especially deceitfully.
His wily opponents.

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