Crookedly: meaning, definitions and examples

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crookedly

[ˈkrʊkɪdli ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adverb}

used to describe the manner of doing something

In a crooked or twisted manner; not in a straight or direct way.

Synonyms

askew, cockeyed, unevenly.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
crookedly	Repeated entry, similar to the first. Refers to something not straight or aligned properly. He walked crookedly down the old street. The sign was placed crookedly, making it hard to read.
unevenly	Used when describing something that lacks uniformity or regularity, such as surfaces or distributions. The road was unevenly paved, causing a bumpy ride. She cut the cake unevenly, giving some pieces larger than others.
askew	Used when something is tilted or not in its correct position. Often used in a casual or informal setting. Her hat was slightly askew after the windy day. The bookshelf stood askew, almost ready to topple.
cockeyed	Used informally to describe something that is tilted, twisted, or absurdly incorrect. Can have a mildly playful or negative connotation. His tie was cockeyed, making him look disheveled. She gave him a cockeyed smile, unsure of what to say.

Examples of usage

He smiled crookedly, revealing a missing tooth.
She walked crookedly down the narrow path.
The painting hung crookedly on the wall.

^{Context #2 | Adverb}

used to describe dishonest or corrupt behavior

In a deceitful or dishonest manner.

Synonyms

deceptively, dishonestly, fraudulently.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
crookedly	Used when describing something physically bent or not straight. It can also imply a sense of dishonesty but is more commonly used for physical descriptions. The picture on the wall is hanging crookedly. He smiled crookedly as he told the lie.
deceptively	Used when something appears different from what it actually is, often in a misleading way. It deals more with appearances than actual dishonest actions. The cake looked deceptively simple to bake. The house appeared deceptively small from the outside.
dishonestly	Used when describing actions or behaviors that lack honesty and integrity. This term is often associated with moral judgment. He acted dishonestly during the negotiations. The report was written dishonestly to cover up the mistakes.
fraudulently	Used when describing actions that involve deceit for the purpose of personal gain or to trick someone. It is often used in legal or financial contexts. The company was accused of fraudulently altering records. She obtained the credit card fraudulently.

Examples of usage

He answered the question crookedly, avoiding the truth.
They obtained the contract through crookedly methods.
She looked at him with suspicion, knowing he was involved in some crookedly dealings.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from 'crooked,' which means bent or twisted, originally displayed in early English as 'croik' related to the Old Norse 'krókr'.
Historically, 'crooked' was associated with moral corruption, indicating actions taken in a dishonest or untrustworthy manner.
In Middle English, the term evolved, leading to the adverb form 'crookedly' to describe the manner of doing something that is crooked.

Pop Culture

The phrase 'crooked politicians' is often used to describe politicians who are thought to engage in dishonest behavior.
In literature, characters who act crookedly often face consequences, reinforcing moral lessons about honesty and integrity.
Popular songs or films often portray protagonists who make crooked choices, highlighting the conflict between morality and desire.

Psychology

Behavior displayed crookedly in social contexts can indicate underlying issues like anxiety or insecurity, leading to an inability to act straightforwardly.
Studies show that individuals who perceive themselves as honest may still engage in crooked behavior under peer pressure or societal expectations.
Moral psychology studies suggest that the perception of actions being crooked often impacts relationships and trust levels with others.

Literature

In classic literature, characters who behave crookedly often symbolize larger societal issues, representing the struggle between personal ethics and societal norms.
Famous authors like Mark Twain have explored themes of crookedness in human character through their storytelling.
Allegorical tales frequently use crooked paths as metaphors for life choices that are not straightforward, emphasizing the complexity of moral decisions.

Law and Ethics

Legal terminology often describes fraudulent actions as crooked, leading to various criminal classifications.
The ethics of crooked behavior in business can create lasting damage to reputations and trustworthiness within industries.
Case law has established precedents where actions deemed crooked have resulted in severe penalties and public backlash.

Translations

Translations of the word "crookedly" in other languages:

🇵🇹 tortuosamente

🇮🇳 टेढ़े-मेढ़े ढंग से

🇩🇪 krumm

🇮🇩 bengkok

🇺🇦 криво

🇵🇱 krzywo

🇯🇵 曲がっている

🇫🇷 de travers

🇪🇸 torcidamente

🇹🇷 eğri

🇰🇷 구부러지게

🇸🇦 معوج

🇨🇿 křivě

🇸🇰 krivým spôsobom

🇨🇳 歪曲地

🇸🇮 krivudasto

🇮🇸 skakkt

🇰🇿 қисық

🇬🇪 მრუდედ

🇦🇿 əyri

🇲🇽 torcidamente

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #34,873 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.

...
34870 burgeoned
34871 unstuck
34872 sycophant
34873 crookedly
34874 previewed
34875 evicting
34876 bizarrely
...