Sly vs. Cunning — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Urooj Arif — Updated on March 7, 2024
Sly involves being cleverly deceitful, while cunning can mean both skill in deception and ingenuity in problem-solving.
Difference Between Sly and Cunning
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Slyness often implies a more playful or mischievous form of deceit, whereas cunning suggests a deeper, more calculated form of trickery. While a sly person might trick someone for amusement or minor gain, a cunning individual may devise complex plans to achieve their goals.
In literature, a sly character may be depicted as someone who uses indirect means to achieve their ends, often through clever but relatively harmless tricks. On the other hand, a cunning character might be portrayed as more Machiavellian, using calculated and strategic manipulation to control and deceive others to a greater extent.
Slyness can sometimes carry a lighter, less negative connotation, suggesting a person who is clever in a charming or endearing way. Conversely, cunning is often viewed in a more negative light, implying a level of shrewdness or craftiness that borders on deceitful and untrustworthy behavior.
While both slyness and cunning involve a level of intelligence, the key difference lies in their application. Sly behavior is often more spontaneous and opportunistic, capitalizing on the immediate situation. In contrast, cunning involves premeditated, strategic planning and the use of intellect to navigate complex scenarios.
Cultural perceptions of slyness and cunning vary, with some cultures admiring the cleverness and ingenuity these traits represent, while others may view them with suspicion or disapproval, emphasizing honesty and straightforwardness instead.
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Comparison Chart
Connotation
Often playful, less negative
More calculated, often negative
Complexity
Simpler, more spontaneous deceit
Involves complex, strategic planning
Perception
Can be charming or endearing
Often seen as deceitful, untrustworthy
Intelligence
Requires cleverness, but less premeditated
Involves high intellect and foresight
Cultural View
Varied, sometimes admired for cleverness
More often viewed with suspicion or disapproval
Compare with Definitions
Sly
Characterized by cleverness or cunning in a playful or deceptive manner.
The sly fox managed to escape the hunters by using a clever trick.
Cunning
Showing skill in achieving one's ends by deceit or evasion.
The cunning detective used a disguise to gather information unnoticed.
Sly
Capable of or involved in the artful manipulation of situations to one's advantage.
Her sly comment left everyone questioning the true intent behind her words.
Cunning
Exhibiting ingenuity in manipulation or strategy.
Her cunning plan involved a series of well-timed moves to outsmart her competitors.
Sly
Showing a cunning or deceitful nature in a subtle way.
With a sly smile, he hinted at knowing more than he was willing to share.
Cunning
Characterized by shrewdness in deception or trickery.
With cunning precision, he laid a trap for the unsuspecting thieves.
Sly
Exhibiting craftiness and wile, often in a charming or playful manner.
He gave a sly wink that suggested he had an ace up his sleeve.
Cunning
Capable of using insight and intellect to manipulate situations to one's advantage.
His cunning negotiation tactics ensured he always came out on top.
Sly
Inclined to act in an underhanded or deceitful manner to achieve personal goals.
The sly entrepreneur used misleading advertising to boost sales.
Cunning
Demonstrating clever resourcefulness in solving problems.
She used her cunning to navigate the complex legal system and win the case.
Sly
Clever or cunning, especially in the practice of deceit.
Cunning
Marked by or given to artful subtlety and deceptiveness.
Sly
Stealthy or surreptitious
Took a sly look at the letter on the table.
Cunning
Executed with or exhibiting ingenuity.
Sly
Playfully mischievous
A sly laugh.
Cunning
Delicately pleasing; pretty or cute
A cunning pet.
Sly
Artfully cunning; secretly mischievous; wily.
Cunning
Skill in deception; guile.
Sly
(having a positive connotation) Dexterous in performing an action, so as to escape notice
Cunning
Skill or adeptness in execution or performance; dexterity.
Sly
Done with, and marked by, artful and dexterous secrecy; subtle
A sly trick
Cunning
Sly; crafty; clever in surreptitious behaviour.
Sly
Light or delicate; slight; thin.
Cunning
(obsolete) Skillful, artful.
Sly
Slyly.
Cunning
(obsolete) Wrought with, or exhibiting, skill or ingenuity; ingenious.
Cunning work
Sly
Dexterous in performing an action, so as to escape notice; nimble; skillful; cautious; shrewd; knowing; - in a good sense.
Be ye sly as serpents, and simple as doves.
Whom graver ageAnd long experience hath made wise and sly.
Cunning
Cute, appealing.
Sly
Artfully cunning; secretly mischievous; wily.
For my sly wiles and subtle craftiness,The litle of the kingdom I possess.
Cunning
Practical knowledge or experience; aptitude in performance; skill, proficiency; dexterity.
Sly
Done with, and marked by, artful and dexterous secrecy; subtle; as, a sly trick.
Envy works in a sly and imperceptible manner.
Cunning
Practical skill employed in a secret or crafty manner; craft; artifice; skillful deceit; art or magic.
Sly
Light or delicate; slight; thin.
Cunning
The disposition to employ one's skill in an artful manner; craftiness; guile; artifice; skill of being cunning, sly, conniving, or deceitful.
Sly
Slyly.
Cunning
The natural wit or instincts of an animal.
The cunning of the fox or hare
Sly
Marked by skill in deception;
Cunning men often pass for wise
Deep political machinations
A foxy scheme
A slick evasive answer
Sly as a fox
Tricky Dik
A wily old attorney
Cunning
(obsolete) Knowledge; learning; special knowledge (sometimes implying occult or magical knowledge).
Cunning
Knowing; skillful; dexterous.
"Tis beauty truly blent, whose red and whiteNature's own sweet and cunning hand laid on.
Esau was a cunning hunter.
Cunning
Wrought with, or exhibiting, skill or ingenuity; ingenious; curious; as, cunning work.
Over them Arachne high did lift
Cunning
Crafty; sly; artful; designing; deceitful.
They are resolved to be cunning; let others run the hazard of being sincere.
Cunning
Pretty or pleasing; as, a cunning little boy.
Cunning
Knowledge; art; skill; dexterity.
Let my right hand forget her cunning.
A carpenter's desertStands more in cunning than in power.
Cunning
The faculty or act of using stratagem to accomplish a purpose; fraudulent skill or dexterity; deceit; craft.
Discourage cunning in a child; cunning is the ape of wisdom.
We take cunning for a sinister or crooked wisdom.
Cunning
Shrewdness in deception;
As cunning as a fox
Cunning
Shrewdness as demonstrated by being skilled in deception
Cunning
Drafty artfulness (especially in deception)
Cunning
Attractive especially by means of smallness or prettiness or quaintness;
A cute kid with pigtails
A cute little apartment
Cunning kittens
A cunning baby
Cunning
Marked by skill in deception;
Cunning men often pass for wise
Deep political machinations
A foxy scheme
A slick evasive answer
Sly as a fox
Tricky Dik
A wily old attorney
Cunning
Showing inventiveness and skill;
A clever gadget
The cunning maneuvers leading to his success
An ingenious solution to the problem
Common Curiosities
Can someone be both sly and cunning?
Yes, an individual can exhibit both qualities, using simple deceit in some situations and more complex strategies in others.
Is being sly always negative?
Not necessarily; slyness can sometimes be viewed as charming or endearing, depending on the context and intention.
Why is cunning often viewed negatively?
Cunning is associated with deceit and manipulation, which are generally considered unethical or untrustworthy behaviors.
Can slyness be a positive trait?
In some contexts, slyness can be seen as a positive trait, representing cleverness and the ability to navigate tricky situations.
What does it mean to be sly?
Being sly means being clever in a deceptive or playful manner, often to achieve one's aims indirectly.
How are slyness and cunning depicted in literature?
Sly characters may use playful tricks, while cunning characters are often portrayed as Machiavellian, using strategic manipulation.
How does cunning differ from slyness?
Cunning involves more complex and calculated strategies for deception or problem-solving, while slyness is often simpler and more spontaneous.
Can animals be described as sly or cunning?
Yes, animals, especially in stories or observations of behavior, can be described as sly or cunning based on their survival tactics.
What is a common use of cunning in everyday situations?
Cunning is often used in strategic planning, negotiation, and problem-solving to achieve desired outcomes.
Do cultural perceptions of slyness and cunning vary?
Yes, cultural perceptions can vary widely, with some cultures admiring the traits for their cleverness and others viewing them with suspicion.
How does one identify a sly or cunning person?
These individuals may be identified by their indirect approach to achieving goals, strategic planning, and occasional manipulation of situations.
Is it better to be sly or cunning?
This depends on personal values and the context; both traits have their advantages and disadvantages.
How can one develop slyness or cunning?
Developing these traits involves improving strategic thinking, observation skills, and the ability to anticipate and manipulate situations.
Are there professions where being sly or cunning is advantageous?
In professions that involve negotiation, strategy, and competitive advantage, such as law, politics, and business, these traits can be advantageous.
How do slyness and cunning impact relationships?
These traits can strain relationships if they lead to deceit or manipulation, causing trust issues.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
