shyster

American  

[shahy-ster] / ˈʃaɪ stər /

noun

Informal.

1. a lawyer who uses unprofessional or questionable methods.

2. a person who gets along by petty, sharp practices.

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shyster British  

/ ˈʃaɪstə /

noun

1. informal a person, esp a lawyer or politician, who uses discreditable or unethical methods

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Other Word Forms

• shysterism noun

Etymology

Origin of shyster

1835–45, probably < German Scheisser, equivalent to scheiss ( en ) to shit + -er -er ¹; final -ser conformed to -ster

Example Sentences

In his career as a New York real-estate shyster and tabloid denizen, then as the forty-fifth President of the United States, Trump has been the most transparent of public figures.

From Salon

But while Kim fell for Jimmy, she could take or leave Saul, a swaggering shyster who bends and breaks the law for evil men.

From Salon

An easier dispute system would make it unnecessary for consumers to seek help from shyster credit repair companies.

From Washington Post

Google has failed to stop "shyster" websites advertising on its search engine, despite promising to fix the problem, the BBC has found.

From BBC

“These chiseling shysters should face not just disbarment but monetary sanctions, and maybe jail.”

From Los Angeles Times