weaselly

American

[wee-zuh-lee] / ˈwi zə li /

adjective

resembling a weasel, especially in features or manner.

a weaselly little clerk with furtive eyes.

Etymology

Origin of weaselly

First recorded in 1830–40; weasel + -y ¹

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.

See Examples For:

weaselly

And I promise I won’t do the weaselly thing and offer an excuse.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 11, 2026

Earlier, the MP who represents Ballymena was criticised for an "insincere" and "weaselly" condemnation of the violence.

From BBC ● Jun. 10, 2025

The Chicago Tribune’s Editorial Board even hit back at the museum’s decision, calling Stein’s termination letter to the docents as "weaselly."

From Fox News ● Oct. 17, 2021

It provided an illusion of progress and stability even while proving just as fragile and reversible as the weaselly Petraeus said it would be.

From Salon ● Dec. 12, 2020

“Chiltington’s trying to use his weaselly charm to make sure Mrs. C sends his essay up the line to Mr. Lemoncello.”

From "Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library" by Chris Grabenstein

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023