shyster
Americannoun
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a lawyer who uses unprofessional or questionable methods.
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a person who gets along by petty, sharp practices.
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of shyster
1835–45, probably < German Scheisser, equivalent to scheiss ( en ) to shit + -er -er 1; final -ser conformed to -ster
Explanation
A shyster is someone who might rip you off or do something unethical in order to get his way. A used car salesman might tell you a car is a thousand dollars, but when you read the fine print, it turns out you’ll pay a lot more. That salesman is a shyster — someone who lies and deceives for his own benefit. The word comes from the 18th century German Scheisser, which is a vulgar term for “worthless person.” You can remember the meaning of shyster by remembering that it sounds like heist, since shysters are basically trying to rob you.
Vocabulary lists containing shyster
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I, Robot
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The Mighty Miss Malone
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
An easier dispute system would make it unnecessary for consumers to seek help from shyster credit repair companies.
From Washington Post • Jan. 7, 2022
In response he created Saul Goodman in an act of frustration and shame, to act out his shameless impulses, let his shyster flag fly freely and without guilt, to get away with unscrupulous acts.
From Salon • Apr. 1, 2020
Steyn charged: “And it turns out he's not a heroic presidential speaking truth to power a guy, he's just a flimflam shyster who steals from his clients.”
From Fox News • Apr. 30, 2019
Gilligan himself confirmed as much with Breaking Bad prequel Better Call Saul, in which affable Jimmy McGill follows a similar trajectory to Walt, as he morally morphs into the shyster lawyer Saul Goodman.
From The Guardian • Jan. 13, 2018
In his dreams, if he ever dreamed, it probably took the shape of the square shouldered District Attorney in the shadow of whose office building the little shyster practised his profession.
From True Stories of Crime From the District Attorney's Office by Train, Arthur Cheney
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
