Slickster

A slickster is a person, typically a man, who is shrewd, cunning, and often deceitful, especially in business or financial dealings. They are characterized by their smooth, persuasive manner and ability to manipulate situations or people to their advantage. Slicksters often employ charm and trickery to achieve their goals, sometimes at the expense of others' well-being. They are masters of deception and are adept at exploiting vulnerabilities. The term implies a level of superficiality and a lack of genuine integrity.

Slickster meaning with examples

• The real estate market was filled with slicksters who promised quick profits, only to leave investors with worthless properties and empty pockets. Their carefully crafted presentations and persuasive pitches lured in unsuspecting buyers, who later realized they’d been duped. Many lost their life savings in these schemes, learning a harsh lesson about trusting appearances.
• The politician was widely criticized as a slickster, constantly shifting his stances to appeal to different demographics. His carefully rehearsed speeches and polished image masked a lack of genuine convictions. Critics argued he prioritized personal gain and electoral success over the needs of his constituents, manipulating public opinion to his advantage.
• The con artist, a seasoned slickster, was incredibly skilled at fabricating elaborate stories to gain the trust of wealthy patrons. He would weave tales of hardship and need, playing on people's empathy to extract large sums of money. Many fell victim to his charm, only later discovering the fraud and losing considerable amounts of money to his machinations.
• In the cutthroat world of high-stakes poker, you had to watch out for the slicksters who feigned confidence and bluffed their way to victory. They expertly calculated risk, reading their opponents to exploit their weaknesses. Winning relied on their ability to manipulate their opponents, and create distrust at the table.