skullduggery

American  

[skuhl-duhg-uh-ree] / skʌlˈdʌg ə ri /

Sometimes scullduggery, or skulduggery

noun

plural

skullduggeries

1. dishonorable proceedings; mean dishonesty or trickery.

   They dealt in bribery, graft, and other such skullduggery.

2. an instance of dishonest or deceitful behavior; trick.

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Etymology

Origin of skullduggery

An Americanism dating back to 1865–70; variant of sculduddery ( def. ), originally Scots: “fornication, obscenity,” of unknown origin

Example Sentences

What the Bullmers and company should have known is not to bring a crusading journalist aboard a boat where so much skullduggery is on the itinerary, and so many spoilers in the cargo hold.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 9, 2025

If you allow it to go into the second innings, there could be a little bit of skullduggery.

From BBC • May 22, 2025

To challenge that French postcolonial imperium built by cunning, corruption and covert skullduggery, Moscow needed an operative who could match Jacques Foccart’s legendary mastery of the dirty business of empire, measure for measure.

From Salon • Oct. 22, 2023

"That's a pretty hefty prize for low-tech skullduggery," Tomasco said.

From Reuters • May 10, 2023

And there'll be other men who won't be inclined to stand for skullduggery.

From Gold Seekers of '49 by Stephens, Charles H.