Crafty

Crafty describes someone or something that is clever at achieving things, often through deception or cunning. It implies shrewdness and a tendency to use tricks or guile to get an advantage. This often involves being skilled at avoiding detection or outsmarting others. A crafty individual is adept at planning and executing strategies, often in a subtle or indirect way. It suggests resourcefulness, especially in navigating difficult situations or manipulating circumstances to their benefit. The word implies an element of trickery, though not always malicious, focusing on achieving a desired outcome through intelligence and careful planning. It emphasizes a focus on achieving an advantage rather than playing fair.

Crafty meaning with examples

• The crafty fox, a master of disguise, stalked the farmer's chickens. It employed a series of feigned retreats and clever ambushes, ensuring the flock never saw the attack coming. The fox's planning and knowledge of terrain allowed it to consistently evade the farmer, becoming a persistent thorn in his side while keeping itself fed and well-hidden.
• In the game of chess, she was known as a crafty player. Her careful calculation of moves and ability to anticipate her opponent's strategy were uncanny. She used traps and distractions to slowly gain the upper hand. Her games usually ended in victory, leaving opponents bewildered at her ability to predict, outmaneuver, and overcome their best plays.
• The politician's crafty campaign used a blend of carefully crafted speeches and strategic use of social media. They knew how to manipulate voter opinion, and used subtle emotional appeals designed to stir enthusiasm. They consistently navigated complex political situations and scandals, and kept a steady trajectory toward their end goal, often seeming almost untouchable by criticism.
• The detective suspected the robbery was the work of a crafty criminal, who had studied the security system and left no trace. The crime showed a deep understanding of surveillance and escape, and an advanced understanding of the target. Every action was carefully planned to bypass security and exploit weaknesses, and the suspect seemed to have an expert degree of knowledge.