Definitions
- Describing someone who is cunning and deceitful in their actions or words. - Referring to someone who is sneaky or underhanded in their behavior. - Talking about someone who is clever and manipulative in achieving their goals.
- Describing someone who is very clever and skilled at deceiving others. - Referring to someone who is shrewd and cunning in their dealings with others. - Talking about someone who is astute and resourceful in achieving their objectives.
List of Similarities
- 1Both words describe someone who is cunning and clever.
- 2Both words suggest a level of deceitfulness or manipulation.
- 3Both words can be used to describe someone who is successful in achieving their goals through their cunningness.
What is the difference?
- 1Connotation: Sly has a more negative connotation, suggesting sneakiness and underhandedness, while wily has a more positive connotation, suggesting astuteness and resourcefulness.
- 2Usage: Sly is more commonly used in everyday language, while wily is less common and more formal.
- 3Intensity: Wiliest suggests a higher level of cunningness than slyest.
Remember this!
Sly and wily are synonyms that describe someone who is cunning and clever. However, sly has a more negative connotation, suggesting sneakiness and underhandedness, while wily has a more positive connotation, suggesting astuteness and resourcefulness. Additionally, sly is more commonly used in everyday language, while wily is less common and more formal.
