conniving

[kuh-nahy-ving]

adjective

1. cooperating secretly, especially with harmful or evil intent; conspiring.

   a conniving liar and thief.

Word History and Origins

Origin of conniving¹

First recorded in 1625–50; connive ( def. ) + -ing ² ( def. )

Example Sentences

Court documents filed this week paint an image of both a conniving player and a fragile individual.

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The conniving producers, stagestruck backers, formidable labor organizations and long hours in grim conditions show that Shakespeare really is our contemporary.

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The traitors were completed by chat show host Ross and singer Cat Burns - both of whom seem to have more of the conniving mindset needed for a great traitor.

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She’s cold, conniving and happy to cause a deeper rift between her granddaughter and daughter.

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Fulton played the character as a villain, telling The Times in 1990 that Lisa was initially “a conniving, screaming witch” who “lied and wanted everything her way,” a characterization that led fans to scorn her.

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Related Words

• canny 
• impish 
• ingenious 
• intriguing www.thesaurus.com
• mischievous 
• roguish 
• shrewd 
• smart 
• subtle