slick 1 of 3

as in to grease
to coat (something) with a slippery substance in order to reduce friction slicking the bottom of their skis with wax

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

slick

2 of 3

adjective

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slick

3 of 3

noun

Synonym Chooser

How is the word slick distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of slick are artful, crafty, cunning, foxy, sly, tricky, and wily. While all these words mean "attaining or seeking to attain one's ends by guileful or devious means," slick emphasizes smoothness and guile.

slick operators selling time-sharing

When is artful a more appropriate choice than slick?

Although the words artful and slick have much in common, artful implies indirectness in dealing and often connotes sophistication or cleverness.

elicited the information by artful questioning

When can crafty be used instead of slick?

The synonyms crafty and slick are sometimes interchangeable, but crafty implies cleverness and subtlety of method.

a crafty lefthander

When could cunning be used to replace slick?

The meanings of cunning and slick largely overlap; however, cunning suggests the inventive use of sometimes limited intelligence in overreaching or circumventing.

the cunning fox avoided the trap

When would foxy be a good substitute for slick?

While the synonyms foxy and slick are close in meaning, foxy implies a shrewd and wary craftiness usually involving devious dealing.

a foxy publicity man planting stories

When is it sensible to use sly instead of slick?

While in some cases nearly identical to slick, sly implies furtiveness, lack of candor, and skill in concealing one's aims and methods.

a sly corporate raider

Where would tricky be a reasonable alternative to slick?

In some situations, the words tricky and slick are roughly equivalent. However, tricky is more likely to suggest shiftiness and unreliability than skill in deception and maneuvering.

a tricky political operative

When might wily be a better fit than slick?

The words wily and slick can be used in similar contexts, but wily implies skill and deception in maneuvering.

the wily fugitive escaped the posse

Examples 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 slick
Verb
Her cropped blonde hair was slicked back, and the ensemble accessorized with oversized diamond hoop earrings, gladiator-style heels and of course, a pink pair of wings. Catherine Santino, People.com, 15 Oct. 2024 This time, Walsh wore her hair slicked back with a side part for major high fashion vibes. Angel Saunders, People.com, 28 Sep. 2024
Adjective
Much like directors Veronika Franz's and Severin Fiala's earlier film, Goodnight Mommy, The Lodge takes a relatively straightforward story and energizes it with a slick nihilism that lends it the patina of the best downbeat horrors from the 1970s. Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 30 Oct. 2024 Winter hikers will want to invest in a pair of boots that provide reliable grip on snow, ice, and slick trails, so the Hoka Women’s Kaha 2 Gtx Hiking Boots are a no-brainer since they’re fitted with Gore-Tex exteriors alongside a waterproof shell to keep your feet warm and dry all season long. Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 5 Nov. 2024
Noun
Streets suggests taking supplements and applying a daily slick of cuticle oil to moisturize nails and the surrounding skin. Jacqueline Kilikita, refinery29.com, 9 July 2024 On Wednesday, bacteria levels in the Seine were deemed satisfactory, and despite rain overnight that left the streets slick, the women’s and men’s races were allowed to proceed. Colette Davidson, The Christian Science Monitor, 31 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for slick 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slick
Verb
  • Olive oil: For greasing the pot and keeping the onion from sticking before adding the beef.
    Ann Taylor Pittman, Southern Living, 24 Oct. 2024
  • In reality, according to a person with knowledge of the deal, Tal greased an employee from Griffin’s office to get the boss’s number, then called him incessantly.
    James D. Walsh, Curbed, 12 Aug. 2024
Adjective
  • Streaming on Netflix netflix Agatha All Along Headed up by WandaVision showrunner Jac Schaeffer, Agatha All Along revisits the nosey neighbor and titular cunning witch (played deliciously by Kathryn Hahn) as she’s knocked out of her trance and seeks to regain her powers.
    Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 21 Sep. 2024
  • Besides being cunning and highly opinionated, Paddy is also rather physically imposing.
    Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Sep. 2024
Adjective
  • North Carolina State University researchers found that deer movement can be excellent the last hour of daylight during the last-quarter phase of the moon.
    Michael Hanback, Outdoor Life, 7 Nov. 2024
  • The improved adaptive cruise control is excellent at slow speeds and in stop-and-go traffic.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • By contrast, animation foregrounds the pictorial, which is its own aesthetic doctrine.
    Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 8 Nov. 2024
  • Irina Shayk is the rare model who started in her 20s and transitioned from swimsuit and lingerie modeling to high-fashion pictorials to, nowadays, street style.
    Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 8 Nov. 2023
Noun
  • The European far right is skillfully seizing the moment, promising an agricultural overhaul and a chance to stick it to the city slickers.
    Emily Rauhala, Washington Post, 11 Apr. 2024
  • For the dapper dog walker there's plenty of tweed caps and country-style rain slickers.
    Kim Hjelmgaard, USA TODAY, 9 Mar. 2024
Noun
  • Other notable kitchen must-haves that are on sale for October Prime Day include a vegetable chopper and this Ninja air fryer with more than 69,000 perfect ratings.
    Toni Sutton, People.com, 8 Oct. 2024
  • With a chopper, nothing is out of reach – and for the intrepid explorer yearning for true isolation, this is the stuff of dreams.
    Shaun Stanley, Travel + Leisure, 5 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Looks like Trump might be oiling the wheels for Kennedy Jr. to determine what happens with health and science policy, operations and research in the U.S. government.
    Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes, 2 Nov. 2024
  • While bamboo and wood cutting boards should never go in the dishwasher, keeping them oiled will help to prevent future stains.
    Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Oct. 2024
Adjective
  • Many existing options are either too short, prone to peeling lacquer, slippery when wet or too expensive for daily use.
    Rachel King, Forbes, 2 Nov. 2024
  • The antagonistic interplay between Bruno and George is also dealt short shrift, lacking an electrifying oomph and glossing over aspects (better charting George’s tireless mission and Bruno’s slippery sensibilities) that would’ve deepened their respective gains and losses.
    Courtney Howard, Variety, 31 Oct. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near slick

Cite this Entry

“Slick.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slick. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

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