Synonyms for dodgy

Most common

tricky · slick · sneaky · tricksy · sketchy · iffy · shady · fishy

Synonyms by meaning

Adjective

Definitions

1. adj. 1

   Unsound and unreliable.

   Never listen to dodgy advice.

2. adj. 2

   Risky.

   This is a slightly dodgy plan, because there is a lot that is being changed for this fix.

3. adj. 3

   Evasive and shifty.

   Asked why, a spokesman gave a dodgy answer about legal ramifications.

Example sentences

• tricky It's a tricky task which requires a lot of patience.
• slick The statues in the museum courtyard were slick with rain.
• sneaky Tom told me that he thought that Mary was sneaky.
• sketchy Carlos came across as a little sketchy to Melissa.
• iffy That seems iffy. That doesn’t seem aboveboard.

Popularity over time

Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.

By length

3 letters

sly¹

4 letters

foxy², wily², iffy²

5 letters

sharp¹, risky², dodge¹, slick¹, shady², moody², shaky², fishy², flaky², dicey², booky

6 letters

tricky², sneaky², smelly², crafty², artful², chancy²

7 letters

suspect², cunning², sketchy², tricksy, knavish

8 letters

guileful

9 letters

chanceful

The small number after each word is its number of syllables (foxy² = 2 syllables).