TRICKSY Synonyms: 109 Similar and Opposite Words

tricksy

adjective

ˈtrik-sē

Definition of tricksy

as in difficult

requiring exceptional skill or caution in performance or handling it's a bit tricksy to have a candid conversation with the company president without appearing to be either presumptuous or obsequious

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in mischievous

tending to or exhibiting reckless playfulness a tricksy provocateur who will make the most outrageous statements just to get a reaction

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of tricksy The structure is a bit tricksier, flipping between the present — which finds our two inevitable lovers estranged and in their early thirties — and a staggered series of flashbacks catching up to it. — Guy Lodge, Variety, 8 Jan. 2026 Such films sometimes feel like tricksy technical experiments. — The Economist, 18 June 2020

Recent Examples of Synonyms for tricksy

Adjective

The problem, Snegovaya said, is that achieving military autonomy for Europe and Ukraine is extremely difficult in the short term, and Europe has been slow to develop the necessary capabilities.

— Elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 17 Oct. 2026
Past changes have pushed the glacier into a retreat that may be difficult to reverse, while new modeling suggests scientists may have underestimated how warm seawater reaches beneath it.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of difficult

Adjective

Celebrity hairstylist Brian Magallones considers this the perfect balance between a not-too-fussy and not-too-structured chignon, a style that sounds tough to style without a professional team but is actually quite easy to master at-home.

— Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
Coming off that dominant performance against the Yankees, Rasmussen went six-plus tough innings.

— Rob Maaddi, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of tough

Adjective

To avenge an injustice and restore honor, a good yakuza, like Ken-san, would set off alone for a suicidal last stand against his wicked rivals.

— Ian Buruma, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026
That unholy resurrection gives William some wicked supernatural powers to go along with his slick swordplay.

— ABC News, ABC News, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of wicked

Adjective

Another network had received the notification by late Saturday, according to a person familiar with the situation, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to share sensitive details.

— Miriam Waldvogel, Arkansas Online, 12 Oct. 2026
Pictet seemed sensitive to the moral risk of going into Syria for the wrong reasons.

— Ben Taub, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of sensitive

Adjective

The complicated feelings surrounding Jose’s detainment mirrors the response in Staunton over the deportation of Ayuzo Sandoval during the 2025 holidays, which caught the attention of the governor.

— Gregory Royal Pratt, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026
The effects crew also rebuilt Rocky’s transparent xenonite barriers digitally to remove reflections, hide operators and maintain the complicated play of light through the set.

— Davide Abbatescianni, Variety, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of complicated

Adjective

Winds across the San Joaquin Valley floor could gust 15-20 mph at times Thursday and Friday, with the majority of more problematic winds reserved for the Sierra foothills.

— Sean Macaday, Sacbee.com, 14 Oct. 2026
Paul Robeson’s films from the 1930s are sometimes problematic and can pander to colonial ideas about Black people.

— Zac Ntim, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of problematic

Browse Nearby Words

tricksters

tricksy

tricky

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Style

“Tricksy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tricksy. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of tricksy

adjective

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