guileful

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "guileful" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is cunning or deceitful, often in a clever or sly manner. Example: "The guileful politician managed to sway public opinion with his charming rhetoric, despite his hidden agenda."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

Additionally, the dust finally settling on female masturbation makes room for some gloriously guileful subversion.

The Guardian - Music

"How many wives does the man want?" muses Thomas Cromwell, the exasperated chief minister, combining raison d'état with the guileful self-interest of the political aide.Cromwell is the axis of the series.

The Economist

But Mr Hussein is guileful as well as guilty, and the tormentor of Iraq has manipulated events so that the West, through its insistence on the continuance of the United Nations' sanctions, has become the instrument of his countrymen's torment.

The Economist

It is certainly not prompted by Slobodan Milosevic's guileful offer of a temporary ceasefire, nor even by the belief that NATO's bombing campaign may at last be causing some discomfort to his malign regime.

The Economist

Latin pitchers tended to be, and still are, guileful rather than fast, but this, too, has changed.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Guileful protesters meant the Mayor had to compete with internal fire alarms for the last five minutes, but he apparently "used [them] to his advantage".

Independent

In its time, the Saatchi advertising empire produced some memorable slogans, but this one – lobbed like a poison-gas canister into a recent court case – is particularly guileful.

Independent

He slithers through Shakespeare's text like an aged but guileful salamander.

The New Yorker

It was therefore rather an experience to observe, later that afternoon, with what chameleon ease Brando acquired the character's cruel and gaudy colors, how superbly, like a guileful salamander, he slithered into the part, how his own persona evaporated — just as, in this Kyoto hotel room ten years afterward, my 1947 memory of Brando receded, disappeared into his 1957 self.

The New Yorker

Works by the guileful Italian, now fifty-one, have provided the international art world with comic relief and the occasional news-making sensation since 1989.

The New Yorker

Behrman quotes Sir Max Beerbohm's guileful mockery of those English critics who habitually raved about the technique of Eleonora Duse although they understood not a word she said.. This reviewer says that Sir Max, after all, did review Duse, and in considerable detail, thereby making nonsense of his claim--his sly, Maximilian claim--to incompetence in the matter of assessing her technique.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "guileful" when you want to emphasize the clever and skillful aspect of deceit, rather than simply stating that someone is dishonest.

Common error

Avoid using "guileful" in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more neutral terms like "deceptive" or "cunning" unless you specifically want to highlight the artful nature of the deception.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "guileful" is as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe someone or something characterized by deceit and cunning. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in describing both people and abstract concepts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Science

3%

Academic sources

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "guileful" is an adjective used to describe someone or something that is cunning and deceitful. As Ludwig AI indicates, its grammatical usage is correct and the word is commonly found in news and media contexts. While "guileful" has a generally negative connotation, it can also imply cleverness and ingenuity. Consider alternatives like "cunning", "sly", or "deceptive" depending on the nuance you want to convey. When writing, ensure that you use "guileful" where the intention is to emphasis a skillful deceit, and consider avoiding it in overly formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deceitful

Directly describes someone who is full of deceit.

deceptive

Focuses on the act of misleading someone.

cunning

Emphasizes skill in achieving one's ends through deceit.

sly

Suggests a secretive and clever form of deceit.

wily

Highlights being skilled at using trickery.

crafty

Implies cleverness and ingenuity in deception.

tricky

Focuses on the use of tricks and deception.

scheming

Highlights the planning involved in deceit.

underhanded

Suggests a sneaky and dishonest approach.

insidious

Emphasizes the gradual and subtle nature of deceit.

FAQs

How can I use "guileful" in a sentence?

You can use "guileful" to describe someone or something that is cunning and deceitful. For example: "The "guileful politician" manipulated the media to win the election."

What words are similar to "guileful"?

Alternatives to "guileful" include "cunning", "sly", "wily", and "deceptive". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "guileful" a positive or negative word?

"Guileful" generally has a negative connotation, as it describes someone who uses deceit to achieve their goals. However, in some contexts, it can also imply cleverness or ingenuity.

What is the difference between "guileful" and "naive"?

"Guileful" describes someone who is cunning and deceitful, while "naive" describes someone who is innocent and easily tricked. They are near opposites.