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

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
Where to watch Saw: Amazon Prime Video (to rent) 03 of 10 Saw X (2023) John Kramer ventures to Mexico for an experimental cancer treatment administered by money-hungry charlatans in this slick but not particularly inventive revival sequel, which takes place between the events of Saw and Saw II. Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 10 May 2025 Keyboard Deals The Corsair K70 RGB Pro is made for serious gamers who want a keyboard that can take a beating while looking slick. Shubham Yewale, PC Magazine, 20 May 2025
Adjective
At the elevators, a young white man, his hair slicked back, excitedly approached a brown-skinned man in a hoodie and began to fanboy. Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 3 July 2025 To end the week, a red-lipped and slicked back Tracee Ellis Ross reunited with her Girlfriends in a PATTERN Beauty campaign. Essence, 30 June 2025
Noun
To many, Newsom also comes across as slick and glib rather than sincere, someone who bends reality to portray California and himself as leaders to be emulated. Dan Walters, Mercury News, 10 July 2025 Even some Democrats worry that Newsom is too progressive, too rich and too slick to win over working-class and swing voters in Republican and closely divided states. Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for slick
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slick
Verb
  • Lightly grease a 17x11-inch rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray; line with parchment paper.
    Sabrina Weiss, People.com, 30 June 2025
  • Lightly grease a 9-inch square baking pan with cooking spray.
    Marianne Williams, Southern Living, 20 June 2025
Adjective
  • The Residence starred Uzo Aduba as quirky detective Cordelia Cupp, who uses her cunning intellect and obsessive bird-watching abilities to crack otherwise unsolvable cases.
    Andy Swift, TVLine, 2 July 2025
  • As for steps that could be taken in the nineteenth century, Lyell managed to invent a cunning way to determine the relative age of geological strata.
    Lewis Hyde, Harpers Magazine, 18 June 2025
Adjective
  • The hiding spot seemed like an excellent spot for avoiding the sun and potential predators, but Fowler didn't feel quite the same.
    Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 July 2025
  • This Dyson model is lightweight and has powerful suction and motorized tools that are excellent for getting hair out of carpets and upholstery.
    BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 11 July 2025
Noun
  • Bold face names abound in its 204 glossy pages including John F. Kennedy Jr., whose mother, the late Jackie Onassis, was the subject of a 1975 pictorial when a paparazzo with a long lens and a publisher with a fat wallet, shared images of her undressed.
    Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 12 June 2025
  • The coffee table tome, its black cover embossed with gold lettering and shrouded in shrink wrap, includes reproductions of dozens of covers and pictorials and Flynt’s crusading columns against censorship that tackled issues including gay, transgender and women’s rights decades ago.
    Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 12 June 2025
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
  • Plus, cut down on prep time with this multi-purpose food chopper that can dice, julienne, grate, and slice fruit and veggies in seconds.
    Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 7 July 2025
  • Marsh stole second two pitches later, went to third on a wild pitch and scored on Trea Turner’s infield single, a chopper to third base that Manny Machado simply had to hold.
    Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 June 2025
Verb
  • Generously oil the grates, then add the chicken and cook until the bottom is charred, 5 to 8 minutes.
    The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 July 2025
  • Forget about the need to remember to oil a chain, constantly check for chain sag, look for wear, and replace sprockets when changing the chain.
    William Roberson, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
Adjective
  • The comments are brimming with intrepid flip-flop wearers who have worn these shoes on cruise ships, uneven European sidewalks, slippery hiking trails in Hawaii, and more.
    Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 11 July 2025
  • Inspiration is a slippery concept — what resonates deeply with one person might barely register for another.
    Sophie van Bastelaer, EW.com, 7 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Slick.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slick. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.

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