Chicanery
hardNegative toneshi-KAY-nuh-ree
noun
Definition
The use of trickery to achieve a political, financial, or legal purpose
Memory hook
CHIC-CANARY: a chic con artist uses a canary as a distraction while she tricks you — clever deception.
Examples
“The election was marred by political chicanery.”
“His legal chicanery allowed him to avoid prosecution for years.”
Test yourself
Fill in the blank with the right word:
“The election was marred by political ______.”
Show answer
chicanery
Synonyms
Antonyms
Categories
GRE Tip
Chicanery is a hard-difficulty GRE word. On the GRE, you might see it paired with synonyms like "trickery" or "duplicity" in Sentence Equivalence questions. Look for contrast clues (however, despite, although) that signal the opposite meaning. Words like "honesty".
Related GRE Words
artifice
Clever or cunning devices or expedients, especially to deceive; trickery
mendacity
Untruthfulness; the tendency to lie
subterfuge
Deceit used to achieve one's goal; a trick
duplicity
Deceitfulness; double-dealing
guile
Sly or cunning intelligence; craftiness in deceiving others
fraudulent
Obtained, done by, or involving deception; dishonest
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