Chicanery Meaning in English

word

US

ʃɪˈkeɪnɝi

shi-KAY-nur-ee

UK

ʃɪkˈeɪnəɹi

shi-KAY-nuh-ree

Definition

Chicanery is the use of clever but dishonest tricks or actions to achieve something, especially to deceive people.

Usage & Nuances

"Chicanery" is formal and often used in legal, political, or critical contexts. Common collocations: 'political chicanery', 'legal chicanery'. It always suggests intentional dishonesty for advantage. Do not confuse with 'mistake' or 'misunderstanding'—chicanery is deliberate.

• Spanish: artimaña - engaño - trapacería
• Portuguese (BR): artimanha - trapaça - engano
• Portuguese (PT): artimanha - trapaça - engano
• Chinese (Simplified): 欺骗 - 奸诈
• Chinese (Traditional): 欺騙 - 奸詐
• Hindi: छल-कपट - चालबाज़ी
• Arabic: خداع - مكر
• Bengali: ছলনা - কৌশলী প্রতারণা
• Russian: уловка - махинация
• Japanese: ごまかし - 策略
• Vietnamese: mánh khóe - thủ đoạn gian trá
• Korean: 속임수 - 책략
• Turkish: hile - aldatmaca
• Urdu: فریب - مکاری
• Indonesian: tipu daya - muslihat

Example Sentences

The company was accused of chicanery in its advertising.

basic

Many politicians use chicanery to win votes.

basic

The judge did not tolerate any chicanery in the courtroom.

basic

She saw through his chicanery and refused the deal.

natural

All this legal chicanery just slows things down.

natural

If you want honest advice, leave the chicanery behind.

natural