conniving

[ kuh-nahy-ving ]

adjective

1. cooperating secretly, especially with harmful or evil intent; conspiring:

   a conniving liar and thief.

Word History and Origins

Origin of conniving¹

First recorded in 1625–50; connive ( def ) + -ing ²( def )

Example Sentences

They pick up on any and all evidence about human evil and conniving and explain away or ignore evidence of positive human qualities.

From Los Angeles Times

Rasmussen’s sisters and widower gave emotional testimony during Monday’s hearing about their pain and described Lazarus as a conniving criminal who used her police training to cover up the killing.

From Seattle Times

Donald Trump, meanwhile, has never had to make amends and everyone who’s ever been in his inner circle has paid dearly for being that close to his venomous and conniving personality.

From Salon

Modi has also described Muslims as “terrorists” who are conniving to steal the welfare benefits of caste-oppressed groups, and presented the opposition Congress Party as stealing Hindu money in order to give it to Muslims.

From Salon

Initially prematurely aged and enfeebled because of the conniving evil wizard Saruman, he is restored to vitality by the good wizard Gandalf.

From New York Times

Related Words

• canny
• impish
• ingenious
• intriguing
• mischievous
• roguish
• shrewd
• smart
• subtle