Sharp and Sly

Sharp

Sharp adjective - Given to or marked by cheating and deception.
Usage example: sharp business practices that are being investigated by the state's consumer protection agency

Sly is a synonym for sharp in dishonest topic. In some cases you can use "Sly" instead an adjective "Sharp", when it comes to topics like ability, cunning.

Sly

Sly adjective - Clever at attaining one's ends by indirect and often deceptive means.
Usage example: the movie pairs a sly, dissembling ex-con with an upstanding, straight-arrow cop

Sharp is a synonym for sly in ability topic. Sometimes you can use "Sharp" instead an adjective "Sly", if it concerns topics such as character trait, dishonest, clever, shrewd.

Nearby Words: slyness, slyly
Cite this Source
Sly and Sharp. (2016). Retrieved 2026, August 14, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/sharp/sly
Sharp & Sly. N.p., 2016. Web. 14 Aug. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/sharp/sly>.
Sly or Sharp. 2016. Accessed August 14, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/sharp/sly.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "sharp" and "sly" have occurred on timeline