cunning Play adjectiveHaving or showing skill in achieving one's ends by deceit or evasion.nounSkill in achieving one's ends by deceit. SYNONYMS adroitartfulastutecannycarnyclevercraftydeceitfuldeceptivedeftdesigningdeviousdexterousduplicitousfiendishflyfoxyguilefulimaginativeingeniousinventiveJanus-facedknowingMachiavellianmanipulativepawkyresourcefulsavvyschemingsharpsharp-wittedshrewdskilfulslickslimslipperyslysneakysubtletrickyvulpinewily