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guileful

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Word: Guileful

Part of Speech: Adjective

Definition: The word "guileful" describes someone who is skilled at deceiving others. A guileful person is clever and uses trickery or cunning to achieve their goals, often in a sly or sneaky way.

Usage Instructions

You can use "guileful" to describe people, actions, or strategies that involve deception or cleverness that is not straightforward. It often has a negative connotation, suggesting that the person is untrustworthy.

Example Sentences:
  1. The guileful salesman managed to convince everyone to buy his product, even though it was not as good as he claimed.
  2. She had a guileful plan to win the competition, but it left her friends feeling betrayed.
Advanced Usage:

In literature or more sophisticated contexts, "guileful" can describe complex characters or intricate plots that involve manipulation and cunning strategies. For example, in a political drama, a guileful politician might use underhanded tactics to gain power.

Word Variants:
  1. Guile (noun): The ability to deceive or trick someone; cleverness in achieving something.

    • Example: His guile was evident in the way he handled the negotiations.
  2. Guilelessly (adverb): In a way that is innocent and without deceit.

    • Example: She guilelessly accepted the man's promises, not suspecting any trickery.
Different Meanings:

While "guileful" primarily refers to deception, it can also imply being shrewd or astute. However, it typically leans more towards the negative aspect of cleverness associated with trickery.

Synonyms:
  • Cunning
  • Sly
  • Crafty
  • Wily
  • Deceptive
  • Tricky
Idioms:

There are no direct idioms that use "guileful," but you might encounter phrases that convey similar meanings, like: - "Pulling the wool over someone's eyes": This means to deceive someone.

Phrasal Verbs:

While there aren't specific phrasal verbs for "guileful," you can use phrases like: - "Lead someone astray": This means to mislead or deceive someone, which reflects a guileful action.

Adjective
  1. marked by skill in deception
    • cunning men often pass for wise
    • deep political machinations
    • a foxy scheme
    • a slick evasive answer
    • sly as a fox
    • tricky Dick
    • a wily old attorney

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