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Shyster - Meaning, Definition & English Examples

A shyster is a dishonest or unscrupulous person, especially a lawyer or businessperson, who uses deceitful or unethical methods to exploit others for personal gain. The term implies untrustworthiness.

shyster

/ˈʃaɪstər/ /ˈʃaɪstə/

Definition:

A dishonest or unscrupulous person, especially a lawyer.

Synonyms:

swindler, fraudster, cheat, con artist

Part of Speech:

noun

Antonyms:

honest person, upright lawyer

Common Collocations:

shady shyster, crooked shyster, unethical shyster

Derivatives:

shysterism, shysterish

Usage Tips:

Use "shyster" to describe someone deceitful in legal or business dealings; avoid casual misuse for general dishonesty.

Common Phrases:

"shyster lawyer, " "sleazy shyster, " "shady shyster"

Etymology:

Likely from German "Scheißer" (defecator) or Yiddish "sheygets" (non-Jewish boy), evolving to mean disreputable person.

Examples:

  • 1. The shyster tricked his clients out of their savings.
  • 2. Don’t trust that shyster—he’s known for unethical practices.
  • 3. The judge dismissed the case due to the shyster’s misconduct.
  • 4. She called him a shyster after discovering his fraudulent schemes.

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