How to Use sly in a Sentence

sly

adjective
Definition of slynext
Synonyms for slynext
  • At the same time, @LiZaOutlives had a sly way of commenting on the times.
    — Rachel Syme, The New Yorker, 1 May 2021
  • When they’re gone, the fear on Thomas’ face morphs into a sly smile.
    — Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 9 Apr. 2024
  • On the subject of fashion, men have been quite the sly devils over the years.
    — Washington Post, 21 May 2021
  • Werder burst out laughing, and Jones had a sly grin on his face.
    — Tim Cowlishaw, Dallas News, 3 Nov. 2022
  • As quickly as the look came, it was replaced by a sly grin.
    — Mike Kerrigan, WSJ, 7 Sep. 2022
  • The song is anchored by big bass and drum hits, topped by a light synth riff that gives the song a sly edge.
    — Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 4 June 2021
  • Brady notices it too, and his lips curve into a sly smile.
    — Kelly Martinez, Peoplemag, 12 Sep. 2023
  • In a sly design, the arches would light up later that night.
    — Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 13 Apr. 2023
  • The other thing that lends drama to it is that Jean, a sly dog, can sense something is up.
    — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 4 Sep. 2023
  • There’s a bit of that, but Showalter is up to something more sly, and maybe more artful.
    — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 12 Sep. 2021
  • This southern girl, born in Atlanta, has a sly sense of humor and a ready, hearty laugh.
    — Clayton Davis, Variety, 27 Oct. 2022
  • Whenever Mike Epps says the name of his hometown, a sly smile creeps across his face.
    — Justin L. MacK, The Indianapolis Star, 1 Oct. 2021
  • The guest rooms too offer a sly twist on old conventions.
    — Laura May Todd, New York Times, 8 Feb. 2024
  • From the passenger seat, Mr. Kaplan gives her a sly smile.
    — Jodi Walker, EW.com, 24 Apr. 2021
  • Both Justin Turner and Roberts had a sly look when asked about the third baseman’s slow start this season.
    — Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2022
  • When asked point blank if she is done playing Carol, the actress cracks a sly grin.
    — Dalton Ross, EW.com, 8 Sep. 2022
  • Seared to order, the result is a marvel of gooey crunch, and a sly wink at a 50-year-old Big Mac jingle.
    — Michael Russell, oregonlive, 20 Mar. 2021
  • In a sly stroke, we are never shown the encounter that led to Anne’s condition.
    — The New Yorker, 6 May 2022
  • In the second verse, as though delivered with a sly wink, Frank takes a bygone lover to task.
    — Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 10 July 2022
  • Herbie Carter joined us, a lean man with a sly grin, sunburned squint and twinkling eyes.
    — Howard Fishman, Washington Post, 31 Aug. 2022
  • Some were precise and academic, but many were sly and droll.
    — Jason Farago, New York Times, 11 Jan. 2024
  • There is a sly humor in how Matthis bounds out at the beginning of the show, microphone in hand.
    — Helen Shaw, Vulture, 25 Mar. 2022
  • There is a sly reference to the name of the container ship in the form of the face of mustachioed artist Salvador Dali.
    — Amy Davis, Baltimore Sun, 13 May 2024
  • Perry held up her golden ticket and flashed a sly smile.
    — Charles Trepany, USA TODAY, 1 Mar. 2021
  • And for Nosferatu fans, there’s a sly F.W. Murnau joke.
    — Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 31 Mar. 2022
  • The sly expression, the slightness of stature, the ears befitting a fable.
    — New York Times, 15 Dec. 2020
  • What comes through from the jump, however, is Kilpatrick’s sly sense of humor.
    — Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Mar. 2024
  • Tobe Hooper’s opening sequence is less a sly wink to Halloween than a blunt elbow to the ribs.
    — Gem Seddon, Vulture, 29 Oct. 2021
  • Helen had found someone else either, Gene said with a sly grin.
    — Emily Mesner, Anchorage Daily News, 5 Apr. 2022
  • But to hear the Gallic helmer tell it, the Netflix film is far from a capitulation to Hollywood but in fact a sly act of cinematic subversion.
    — Julian Sancton, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 June 2024

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sly.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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