skulduggery
noun
skul·dug·gery
ˌskəl-ˈdə-g(ə-)rē 
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
From encounters with mermaids, the devil and even Robin Hood to themes of superstition and skulduggery, these short tales are perfect escapism to dip in and out of during your summer vacation.
—
Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 May 2025
This year the skulduggery began early and has been raging for week.
—Tim Spiers, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2025
Obviously, such a system is rife with uncertainty, and the history of the process is full of skulduggery, both on the club and player side.
—Tony Blengino, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025
Climax became the first ever vegan cheesemaker to win a prestigious Good Food award—though dairy complaints caused the prize to be rescinded at the last minute, with shades of the protectionist, legal skulduggery faced by non-dairy milk products.
—Andrew Rosenblum, Popular Science, 26 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for skulduggery
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Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 May 2025
This year the skulduggery began early and has been raging for week.
—Tim Spiers, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2025
Obviously, such a system is rife with uncertainty, and the history of the process is full of skulduggery, both on the club and player side.
—Tony Blengino, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025
Climax became the first ever vegan cheesemaker to win a prestigious Good Food award—though dairy complaints caused the prize to be rescinded at the last minute, with shades of the protectionist, legal skulduggery faced by non-dairy milk products.
—Andrew Rosenblum, Popular Science, 26 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for skulduggery
Cite this Entry
“Skulduggery.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/skulduggery. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
skulduggery
noun
skul·dug·gery
variants
or skullduggery
plural skulduggeries
: sneaky or dishonest behavior : trickery
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