wiliness
/'wailinis/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- The quality of being skilled in deception; cunning or craftiness: "Wiliness" refers to the characteristic of being cleverly deceitful or sly, often in order to achieve a goal through trickery or manipulation. It implies shrewdness that is specifically demonstrated through deceptive skill.
Usage
- "Wiliness" is an uncountable noun used to describe a person's character or behavior. It is a formal term, often carrying a negative connotation, suggesting a lack of honesty. It is typically used in contexts discussing strategy, trickery, or complex interpersonal dynamics.
Examples
- Noun:
- The fox in the fable is a symbol of animal wiliness.
- He succeeded in business more through wiliness than through hard work.
- The politician's wiliness was evident in how he avoided answering the direct question.
Advanced Usage
- "The wiliness of...": This phrase is used to attribute cunning behavior to a specific person or entity.
- The detective admired the criminal's wiliness, even as he sought to catch him.
Variants and Related Words
- Wily (adj): Possessing or showing wiliness; cunning.
- The wily old merchant negotiated a very favorable deal.
Synonyms
- Cunning: Skill in achieving one's ends by deceit.
- Guile: Sly or cunning intelligence used to deceive.
- Slyness: Cunning and deceitful nature.
- Craftiness: Skill in achieving one's aims by indirect or deceitful methods.
- Deviousness: Showing a skillful use of underhanded tactics to achieve goals.
Antonyms
- Honesty: The quality of being truthful.
- Guilelessness: The quality of being innocent and without deception.
- Naivety: Lack of experience, wisdom, or judgment, often implying a trusting nature.
- Candor: The quality of being open and honest in expression.
Related Idioms and Phrases
- As wily as a fox: An idiom comparing someone's cunning to the proverbial cleverness of a fox.
- Be careful negotiating with him; he's as wily as a fox.
Noun
- shrewdness as demonstrated by being skilled in deception