foxiness
/'fɔksinis/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- Shrewdness demonstrated through skill in deception: "Foxiness" refers to the quality of being cunning, crafty, or sly, often in a clever and strategic way. It implies a sharp, intelligent ability to deceive or outwit others.
Usage
- "Foxiness" is a somewhat formal or literary noun used to describe a person's clever but deceptive nature. It often carries a negative connotation, suggesting trickery or guile, but can also imply admirable cleverness in certain contexts. It is not commonly used in everyday casual conversation.
Examples
- Noun:
- The negotiator was respected and feared for his tactical foxiness.
- Her success in the competitive market was partly due to her business foxiness.
- The fable celebrated the fox's cleverness, but warned against human foxiness.
Advanced Usage
- "With foxiness": in a cunning or sly manner.
- He answered the investigator's questions with careful foxiness.
Variants and Related Words
- Foxy (adj): having the qualities of a fox; cunning, sly, or attractive in a sharp way.
- She gave him a foxy smile that made him wary.
- Outfox (verb): to defeat or deceive through greater cunning.
- The smaller company managed to outfox its giant competitor.
Synonyms
- Cunning: Skill in achieving one's ends by deceit.
- Guile: Sly or cunning intelligence used to deceive.
- Slyness: Cunning and deceitful nature.
- Wiliness: Full of clever tricks; crafty.
Antonyms
- Guilelessness: The quality of being innocent and without deception.
- Naivety: Lack of experience, wisdom, or judgment.
- Artlessness: The quality of being simple, honest, and without deceit.
Related Idioms
- As cunning as a fox: Extremely clever and sly.
- Be careful when dealing with him; he's as cunning as a fox.
- To outfox someone: To be more clever or cunning than someone else.
- In the game of espionage, the goal is always to outfox your opponent.
Noun
- shrewdness as demonstrated by being skilled in deception