Shiftiness: meaning, definitions and examples

Use 'shiftiness' to describe someone who is acting in a sneaky or suspicious way, often attempting to avoid detection or conceal their true intentions. This word often carries a negative connotation.

• His shiftiness made everyone in the room uneasy.
• She couldn't trust him because of his constant shiftiness.

Use 'deceitfulness' when talking about the characteristic of being dishonest or lying. It implies a deliberate attempt to mislead or trick someone.

• Her deceitfulness was evident when the truth finally came out.
• The company's deceitfulness led to a significant loss of customer trust.

Use 'evasiveness' to describe someone who is avoiding giving direct answers or clear information, often to avoid blame or suspicion.

• His evasiveness made it hard to get a straight answer.
• She answered the questions with such evasiveness that no one could be sure what she really meant.

Use 'untrustworthiness' to refer to someone who cannot be relied upon or trusted, either because of past behavior or inherent qualities. This is clearly negative.

• His untrustworthiness was a major concern for the team.
• Due to her long history of untrustworthiness, nobody wanted to give her a second chance.

Use 'shiftiness' to describe someone's tendency to be unreliable or untrustworthy, often suggesting a slippery or evasive nature.

• His shiftiness made it hard to trust anything he said
• The shiftiness in his eyes was unsettling

Use 'slyness' to describe someone who is clever and cunning, often in a way that is deceitful or tricky. It can have a slightly playful or mischievous connotation but generally still carries a negative undertone.

• With a slyness that surprised everyone, he managed to win the game by bending the rules
• The fox's slyness allowed it to evade capture

Use 'suspiciousness' to describe a state of mind where someone is inclined to suspect others of wrongdoing. It often reflects a lack of trust and can be used both neutrally and negatively.

• Her suspiciousness towards new acquaintances made it hard for her to make friends
• The detective's suspiciousness led him to uncover the truth

Use 'dishonesty' to refer to a clear and specific act of lying or deceit. It's often used in formal or serious situations, including legal or moral discussions.

• Her dishonesty about the financial report led to serious consequences
• Dishonesty in relationships can cause lasting damage