FOXY Synonyms: 100 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'foxy' distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of foxy are artful , crafty , cunning , slick , sly , tricky , and wily . While all these words mean "attaining or seeking to attain one's ends by guileful or devious means," foxy implies a shrewd and wary craftiness usually involving devious dealing. // a foxy publicity man planting stories

Q: When could 'artful' be used to replace 'foxy'?

While the synonyms artful and foxy are close in meaning, artful implies indirectness in dealing and often connotes sophistication or cleverness. // elicited the information by artful questioning

Q: When is it sensible to use 'crafty' instead of 'foxy'?

The words crafty and foxy can be used in similar contexts, but crafty implies cleverness and subtlety of method. // a crafty lefthander

Q: When might 'cunning' be a better fit than 'foxy'?

In some situations, the words cunning and foxy are roughly equivalent. However, cunning suggests the inventive use of sometimes limited intelligence in overreaching or circumventing. // the cunning fox avoided the trap

Q: When can 'slick' be used instead of 'foxy'?

While in some cases nearly identical to foxy , slick emphasizes smoothness and guile. // slick operators selling time-sharing

Q: Where would 'sly' be a reasonable alternative to 'foxy'?

The meanings of sly and foxy largely overlap; however, sly implies furtiveness, lack of candor, and skill in concealing one's aims and methods. // a sly corporate raider

Q: In what contexts can 'tricky' take the place of 'foxy'?

The words tricky and foxy are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, tricky is more likely to suggest shiftiness and unreliability than skill in deception and maneuvering. // a tricky political operative

Q: When would 'wily' be a good substitute for 'foxy'?

The synonyms wily and foxy are sometimes interchangeable, but wily implies skill and deception in maneuvering. // the wily fugitive escaped the posse

foxy

adjective

ˈfäk-sē

Definition of foxy next

as in cute

clever at attaining one's ends by indirect and often deceptive means the oft-told story of the foxy flatterer who works her way up the ladder of success by stepping on people as she goes

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How is the word foxy distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of foxy are artful, crafty, cunning, slick, sly, tricky, and wily. While all these words mean "attaining or seeking to attain one's ends by guileful or devious means," foxy implies a shrewd and wary craftiness usually involving devious dealing.

a foxy publicity man planting stories

When could artful be used to replace foxy?

While the synonyms artful and foxy are close in meaning, artful implies indirectness in dealing and often connotes sophistication or cleverness.

elicited the information by artful questioning

When is it sensible to use crafty instead of foxy?

The words crafty and foxy can be used in similar contexts, but crafty implies cleverness and subtlety of method.

a crafty lefthander

When might cunning be a better fit than foxy?

In some situations, the words cunning and foxy are roughly equivalent. However, cunning suggests the inventive use of sometimes limited intelligence in overreaching or circumventing.

the cunning fox avoided the trap

When can slick be used instead of foxy?

While in some cases nearly identical to foxy, slick emphasizes smoothness and guile.

slick operators selling time-sharing

Where would sly be a reasonable alternative to foxy?

The meanings of sly and foxy largely overlap; however, sly implies furtiveness, lack of candor, and skill in concealing one's aims and methods.

a sly corporate raider

In what contexts can tricky take the place of foxy?

The words tricky and foxy are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, tricky is more likely to suggest shiftiness and unreliability than skill in deception and maneuvering.

a tricky political operative

When would wily be a good substitute for foxy?

The synonyms wily and foxy are sometimes interchangeable, but wily implies skill and deception in maneuvering.

the wily fugitive escaped the posse

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 foxy Thereza Wright-Morris This foxy lady is the wife of Dallas Mavericks power forward and NBA champion Markieff Morris. —

Victoria Uwumarogie, Essence, 6 June 2024 Richard Linklater directs this foxy caper with buoyant good humor. —

Stephanie Zacharek, TIME, 2 June 2024 Kors himself joined the actress on the red carpet in a classic, low-key tuxedo, allowing Zendaya all the spotlight for this foxy moment. —

Taijuan Moorman, USA TODAY, 30 Apr. 2024 Feeling foxy? —

Andrea Wurzburger, Peoplemag, 8 Mar. 2023 See All Example Sentences for foxy

Recent Examples of Synonyms for foxy

Adjective

Ofeefan Long-Sleeve A-Line Ribbed-Knit Mini Dress This mini sweater dress would look cute with a cropped leather jacket and coordinating knee-high boots.

— Emily Weaver, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025
Ouligay Period Bag My teen and her friends always make sure to keep their period stashes organized in one cute pouch like this black one.

— Jacquelyn Smith, Parents, 6 Sep. 2025

Definition of cute

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fox-trotting

foxy

foy

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“Foxy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foxy. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.

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Last Updated: 8 Sep 2025 - Updated example sentences

Synonyms of foxy

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