skullduggery

Sometimes scull·dug·ger·y,
Or skul·dug·ger·y

[skuhl-duhg-uh-ree]

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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of skullduggery¹

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.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The false front is a bit of skullduggery that harks back to a world where conspiracy to escape detection was a part of everyday life.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

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

Read more on BBC

No voter nullification, voter suppression or other skullduggery and interference will be needed.

Read more on Salon

But it comes with all the skullduggery, wheeling and dealing, and conspiracy one would expect, as the frontrunners try to improve their chances of becoming the Vicar of Christ.

Read more on BBC