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Skullduggery - Meaning, Definition & English Examples

Skullduggery refers to dishonest or deceitful behavior, often involving trickery or underhanded schemes. It is typically used to describe secretive actions intended to deceive or manipulate others for personal gain.

skullduggery

/ˌskʌlˈdʌɡəri/ /ˌskʌlˈdʌɡəri/

Definition:

Underhanded or deceitful behavior, often involving trickery or dishonesty.

Synonyms:

trickery, chicanery, deceit, fraud, duplicity

Part of Speech:

noun

Antonyms:

honesty, integrity

Common Collocations:

political skullduggery, corporate skullduggery, accusations of skullduggery

Derivatives:

skullduggerous (rare), skulldugger (rare)

Usage Tips:

Use "skullduggery" to describe secretive, dishonest actions, often in politics or business contexts.

Common Phrases:

behind-the-scenes skullduggery, full of skullduggery, suspected skullduggery

Etymology:

Originated in the mid-19th century as an alteration of "sculduddery," meaning obscenity or lewdness; later evolved to mean trickery.

Examples:

  • 1. The politician was accused of skullduggery after the leaked documents surfaced.
  • 2. The company’s financial collapse revealed years of corporate skullduggery.
  • 3. She suspected skullduggery when her opponent’s votes mysteriously doubled overnight.
  • 4. The detective uncovered a web of skullduggery in the small town’s government.

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