wily
/waɪ.li/
Group 28Difficulty 2/3
Definition
- (adjective)
- Skilled at gaining an advantage, especially deceitfully GRE
Example in Context
The wily negotiator maneuvered her opponents into a position where every available option served her interests rather than theirs.
Synonyms
craftycunningsly
Etymology
Derived from a term meaning crafty or cunning.
- wile (Old English) — cunning
Memory Aid
🦊Sounds like “wildly”
A WILY fox dancing WILDLY around a chicken coop, plotting the ultimate chicken heist!
Visual Association
🦊A fox in a top hat sneaking around a chicken coop, planning an outrageous trick to steal the chickens.
Semantic Clusters
Synonym Groups
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “wily” mean on the GRE?
wily (adjective) means “Skilled at gaining an advantage, especially deceitfully”. The wily negotiator maneuvered her opponents into a position where every available option served her interests rather than theirs.
How to remember “wily” for the GRE?
Mnemonic: “wily” sounds like “wildly”. A WILY fox dancing WILDLY around a chicken coop, plotting the ultimate chicken heist!
What are synonyms for “wily”?
Common synonyms: crafty, cunning, sly.