skulduggery

noun

skul·​dug·​gery ˌskəl-ˈdə-g(ə-)rē How to pronounce skulduggery (audio)
ˈskəl-ˌdə-
variants or skullduggery
plural skulduggeries or skullduggeries
: underhanded or unscrupulous behavior
also : a devious device or trick

Did you know?

Skulduggery, which can also be spelled "skullduggery," was first documented in the mid-19th century spelled as "scull-duggery." Etymologists aren't sure exactly how the word arrived in English, but they do not believe it has anything to do with skulls. It is possibly derived from the now-very-rare "sculduddery," a term once used to refer to gross or lewd conduct, but unfortunately the origins of that word are also unknown.

Examples of skulduggery in a Sentence

tales of espionage and skulduggery the company's apparently healthy bottom line was merely an illusion, the result of years of accounting skulduggery
Recent Examples on the Web There are many reasons beyond cheating and skulduggery that someone might root or modify their Android device. Kevin Purdy, Ars Technica, 30 July 2024 And so the tale of how the Giants established themselves at the Polo Grounds is told, accurately enough, as a piece of complicated capitalist skulduggery in which the team’s desperate owner bought a controlling interest in the Baltimore Orioles and then dragged its stars north. Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2024 Schiff’s skulduggery was unfortunate but totally rational under the current system. David Daley, The Mercury News, 14 Mar. 2024 This one went smoothly — no claims of rampant rigging, no significant taint of skulduggery — due in large part to the defeat of deepfakes, democracy’s newest enemy. Michael Rogers, Twin Cities, 14 Jan. 2024 See all Example Sentences for skulduggery 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'skulduggery.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

origin unknown

First Known Use

1845, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of skulduggery was in 1845

Podcast

Dictionary Entries Near skulduggery

Cite this Entry

“Skulduggery.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/skulduggery. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

skulduggery

noun
skul·​dug·​gery
variants or skullduggery
plural skulduggeries
: sneaky or dishonest behavior : trickery
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!