skullduggery

or skul·dug·ger·y

[ skuhl-duhg-uh-ree ]

noun

, plural skull·dug·ger·ies.

1. dishonorable proceedings; mean dishonesty or trickery:

   They dealt in bribery, graft, and other such skullduggery.

2. an instance of dishonest or deceitful behavior; trick.

Word History and Origins

Origin of skullduggery¹

An Americanism dating back to 1865–70; variant of sculduddery ( def ), originally Scots: “fornication, obscenity,” of unknown origin

Example Sentences

But behind the scenes, there is skullduggery, wheeling and dealing, and conspiracy as the frontrunners try to improve their chances.

From BBC

She has personal experience with Trump and his allies’ capacity for skullduggery and evil.

From Salon

To challenge that French postcolonial imperium built by cunning, corruption and covert skullduggery, Moscow needed an operative who could match Jacques Foccart’s legendary mastery of the dirty business of empire, measure for measure.

From Salon

The duke’s lawyer has argued that an exception should be applied because publishers actively concealed the skullduggery.

From Seattle Times

The skullduggery at the plant in the north-central state of San Luis Potosi illustrated the uphill battle Mexican workers face in unseating old-guard unions that once kept wages low and enjoyed government protection.

From Seattle Times