guile

/ɡʌɪl/noun

Cleverness used to trick or deceive people.

Example sentences

“The salesman used a bit of guile to close the deal.”
“The fox in the story uses guile to steal the farmer's chickens.”

Most often met in the negative: 'without guile' is high praise for honesty. Related to 'beguile', which kept the charm and dropped most of the menace.

Featured as word of the day on June 29, 2026.

Synonyms for guile

cunning
craftiness
deceit
trickery
slyness

Antonyms

honesty
candor
innocence

Often confused with guile

guile vs guilt

Find it in: Advanced English words.

Related words

hackneyedUsed so often that it has become boring and lost its original effect.harangueA long, angry, forceful speech, especially one that criticizes or lectures people.gratuitousGiven or done without payment or without being deserved; unnecessary and uncalled for.grandioseVery large or ambitious in a way meant to impress.haughtyBehaving as if you are better or more important than other people; proud and scornful.heedlessPaying no attention to something; careless of risks or warnings.