SLICK Synonyms: 408 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

slick 1 of 3

verb

Definition of slick

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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

slick

2 of 3

adjective

ˈslik

as in slicked

having or being a surface so smooth as to greatly reduce traction roads are often slick during the first hour of a rainstorm

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in cunning

clever at attaining one's ends by indirect and often deceptive means a slick ad campaign that made smoking look cool and sexy

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in excellent

of the very best kind that's a slick new suit you have on

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

slick

3 of 3

noun

as in pictorial

Related Words

as in slicker

Related Words

as in chopper

Related Words

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

Example 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

Work boots lacked traction, which isn’t ideal when playing on British turf often muddied by rain or slicked by winter frosts. — Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 2 July 2026 Attal, 29 – the son of French singer-actress Charlotte Gainsbourg and grandson of the late Jane Birkin – kept it simple in a black tux and white button-up, sans tie, his curls slicked back. — Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 30 June 2026

Adjective

The reaction strips off the stubborn chlorine atoms and clips the massive polymer chains into smaller, slicker segments. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 5 Aug. 2026 The slices are slick and spongy, and the turkey tastes canned. — Jolene Thym, Mercury News, 5 Aug. 2026

Noun

The results tend toward the vaguely experimental hodgepodge united by a certain slick, spectacular cool. — Justin Davidson, Curbed, 29 July 2026 Simplicity at its finest, the classic slick back ponytail looks chic, effortless, and put-together no matter the occasion. — Ariana Yaptangco, InStyle, 21 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for slick

Recent Examples of Synonyms for slick

Verb

For instance, if $100 was the agreed upon rate for a trucking run and the invoice lists that same figure, the system automatically releases funds, greasing the skids of commerce.

— Michael Ashley, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
Line the bottom of a 9-inch round cake pan with parchment paper and grease the sides with nonstick cooking spray.

— Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of grease

Adjective

Between rough-cut fringe, mermaid wave extensions, a bouffant side part and a slicked ponytail, Madix and Bembridge fearlessly sampled every style and silhouette in the big book of hair this season.

— Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 13 July 2026
But if opting for a slicked knot that eliminates all natural texture feels a little too intense, a relaxed and romantic ballet bun can provide some welcome balance.

— Calin Van Paris, InStyle, 4 July 2026

Definition of slicked

Adjective

Consider, for instance, the institution of oprichnina that Tsar Ivan IV established in 1565, through various cunning moves.

— Foreign Affairs, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026
With the correct number of dots, no arrangement, however cunning, can dodge these shapes forever.

— Jack Murtagh, Scientific American, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of cunning

Noun

Gibson, then 34, saw the pictorial in a classy, peekaboo way and even had a clothing budget.

— Mark Gray, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2025
By 2010, the magazine was essentially family entertainment compared to the tidal wave of online smut, so a peek-a-boo pictorial of half-naked cybergals didn't seem so risqué.

— Jordan Hoffman, EW.com, 9 July 2025

Definition of pictorial

Noun

City slickers will definitely get a bang for their buck with this place, which is a lot more spacious than a shoebox on the Upper East Side.

— Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 17 Nov. 2025
During the Waleses' trip to Canada in October 1991, Diana made time between touring an AIDS hospice and a women's shelter to join William, 9, and Harry, 7, on a visit to Niagara Falls, where the trio donned rain slickers for a wet and wild voyage on the Maid of the Mist.

— Stephanie Sengwe, People.com, 31 Aug. 2025

Definition of slicker

Noun

The 4-cup mini chopper can chop or grind ingredients in seconds, making quick work of onions, garlic, herbs, and more.

— Toni Sutton, PEOPLE, 16 Aug. 2026
After shortstop Elly De La Cruz fielded Edwards’ chopper and cut down Mack at the plate, Hernandez lined a two-run single into right for a 6-4 lead.

— August 15, Miami Herald, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of chopper

Browse Nearby Words

slicing

slick

slicked

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Slick.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slick. Accessed 20 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of slick

verb

adjective

noun

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on slick

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

divulge

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes