shyster

[ shahy-ster ]

noun

, Informal.

1. a lawyer who uses unprofessional or questionable methods.
2. a person who gets along by petty, sharp practices.

shyster

/ ˈʃaɪstə /

noun

1. informal.
   a person, esp a lawyer or politician, who uses discreditable or unethical methods

Other Words From

• shyster·ism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of shyster¹

1835–45, Americanism; probably < German Scheisser, equivalent to scheiss ( en ) to shit + -er -er ¹; final -ser conformed to -ster

Word History and Origins

Origin of shyster¹

C19: probably based on Scheuster , name of a disreputable 19th-century New York lawyer

Example Sentences

Like Gresham’s law, which holds that bad money drives out good, today’s bad shyster pollsters are driving out good pollsters for partisan and pecuniary reasons.

From Washington Times

In his career as a New York real-estate shyster and tabloid denizen, then as the forty-fifth President of the United States, Trump has been the most transparent of public figures.

From Salon

But while Kim fell for Jimmy, she could take or leave Saul, a swaggering shyster who bends and breaks the law for evil men.

From Salon

An easier dispute system would make it unnecessary for consumers to seek help from shyster credit repair companies.

From Washington Post

Google has failed to stop "shyster" websites advertising on its search engine, despite promising to fix the problem, the BBC has found.

From BBC