slyly

[slahy-lee]

adverb

1. in a deceitful manner; cunningly.

   They slyly plot to overthrow us.

2. in a roguish or mischievous way.

   Some were serious, while others slyly winked at the camera.

Word History and Origins

Origin of slyly¹

First recorded 1350–1400 slyly ( def. 1 ); 1835–40 slyly ( def. 2 ); sly ( def. ) + -ly ( def. )

Example Sentences

Snack businesses have slyly marketed to this group of buyers.

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D’Aquino’s defense: She had been slyly subverting the propaganda machine the whole time, entertaining Americans with facetious language no one could take seriously and introducing upbeat American music the GIs actually loved.

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“Hmm. I don’t see the connection. And if I read my cabin boys right,” he added slyly, “you know something you’re not saying.”

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Sparks pauses, then smiles slyly, “I think it was called ‘The Sixth Sense.’”

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While Rittenhome casually declaws Rob Morrow’s crusading attorney, Scorsese slyly plays off the audience’s familiarity with his dark, violent crime films.

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Related Words

• shrewdly www.thesaurus.com