Cunning vs. Slippery — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Urooj Arif — Updated on April 28, 2024
Cunning involves cleverness and skill in deception, while slippery refers to being elusive or difficult to grasp, both literally and figuratively.
Difference Between Cunning and Slippery
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Cunning is typically associated with the use of intellect and cleverness to deceive or manipulate, often to achieve a specific goal. On the other hand, slippery can describe a surface that is physically hard to hold onto or walk on due to its lack of friction.
In human behavior, a cunning person might plan their actions with subtlety and strategic deception. Whereas, describing someone as slippery often suggests they are evasive and hard to pin down, avoiding commitments or direct answers.
Cunning can be admired for its intellectual sharpness and strategic thinking, particularly in competitive fields. Conversely, being slippery is usually viewed negatively, as it implies a lack of trustworthiness or reliability.
In literature, cunning characters are often portrayed as masterminds or tricksters, using their brains to outsmart others. Slippery characters, however, are depicted as shifty, adept at slipping through the cracks of social or legal constraints without being caught.
While cunning actions are deliberate and calculated, slippery behaviors are more about avoiding detection or consequences, often through slick maneuvers and quick thinking.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Using cleverness or skill to deceive
Elusive and hard to grasp or hold
Connotation
Often negative but can be admired
Generally negative
Usage in Literature
Tricksters, masterminds
Shifty, elusive characters
Typical Associations
Strategic deception, intelligence
Evasiveness, lack of reliability
Behavioral Implication
Deliberate and calculated actions
Avoidance of detection or consequences
Compare with Definitions
Cunning
Sly intelligence used to achieve goals.
The cunning fox found a way into the locked coop.
Slippery
Prone to avoiding commitment.
He was slippery about his plans for the weekend.
Cunning
Craftiness highlighted by guile and ingenuity.
She admired the cunning artwork that cleverly hid its true message.
Slippery
Not easily held, as in something that slips from grasp.
The fish was too slippery to hold with bare hands.
Cunning
Shrewdness shown in manipulation.
The lawyer's cunning questioning slowly trapped the witness in contradictions.
Slippery
Characterized by or having a surface that is wet or slick.
The slippery roads made driving hazardous.
Cunning
Skill in achieving something by deceit or evasion.
His cunning plan to bypass security worked flawlessly.
Slippery
Elusive and not straightforward.
The politician's slippery answers frustrated the journalists.
Cunning
The ability to achieve ends through covert schemes.
Through cunning, he rose to the top of the organization.
Slippery
Difficult to understand or define clearly.
The concept was slippery, escaping easy explanation.
Cunning
Marked by or given to artful subtlety and deceptiveness.
Slippery
(of a surface or object) difficult to hold firmly or stand on because it is smooth, wet, or slimy
Her hand was slippery with sweat
Slippery ice
Cunning
Executed with or exhibiting ingenuity.
Slippery
Causing or tending to cause sliding or slipping
A slippery sidewalk.
Cunning
Delicately pleasing; pretty or cute
A cunning pet.
Slippery
Tending to slip, as from one's grasp
A slippery bar of soap.
Cunning
Skill in deception; guile.
Slippery
Not trustworthy; elusive or tricky
"How extraordinarily slippery a liar the camera is" (James Agee).
Cunning
Skill or adeptness in execution or performance; dexterity.
Slippery
Of a surface, having low friction, often due to being covered in a non-viscous liquid, and therefore hard to grip, hard to stand on without falling, etc.
Oily substances render things slippery.
Cunning
Sly; crafty; clever in surreptitious behaviour.
Slippery
Evasive; difficult to pin down.
A slippery person
A slippery promise
Cunning
(obsolete) Skillful, artful.
Slippery
(obsolete) Liable to slip; not standing firm.
Cunning
(obsolete) Wrought with, or exhibiting, skill or ingenuity; ingenious.
Cunning work
Slippery
Unstable; changeable; inconstant.
Cunning
Cute, appealing.
Slippery
(obsolete) Wanton; unchaste; loose in morals.
Cunning
Practical knowledge or experience; aptitude in performance; skill, proficiency; dexterity.
Slippery
Having the quality opposite to adhesiveness; allowing or causing anything to slip or move smoothly, rapidly, and easily upon the surface; smooth; glib; as, oily substances render things slippery.
Cunning
Practical skill employed in a secret or crafty manner; craft; artifice; skillful deceit; art or magic.
Slippery
Not affording firm ground for confidence; as, a slippery promise.
The slippery tops of human state.
Cunning
The disposition to employ one's skill in an artful manner; craftiness; guile; artifice; skill of being cunning, sly, conniving, or deceitful.
Slippery
Not easily held; liable or apt to slip away.
The slippery god will try to loose his hold.
Cunning
The natural wit or instincts of an animal.
The cunning of the fox or hare
Slippery
Liable to slip; not standing firm.
Cunning
(obsolete) Knowledge; learning; special knowledge (sometimes implying occult or magical knowledge).
Slippery
Unstable; changeable; mutable; uncertain; inconstant; fickle.
Cunning
Knowing; skillful; dexterous.
"Tis beauty truly blent, whose red and whiteNature's own sweet and cunning hand laid on.
Esau was a cunning hunter.
Slippery
Uncertain in effect.
Cunning
Wrought with, or exhibiting, skill or ingenuity; ingenious; curious; as, cunning work.
Over them Arachne high did lift
Slippery
Wanton; unchaste; loose in morals.
Cunning
Crafty; sly; artful; designing; deceitful.
They are resolved to be cunning; let others run the hazard of being sincere.
Slippery
Being such as to cause things to slip or slide;
Slippery sidewalks
A slippery bar of soap
The streets are still slippy from the rain
Cunning
Pretty or pleasing; as, a cunning little boy.
Slippery
Not to be trusted;
How extraordinarily slippery a liar the camera is
They called Reagan the teflon president because mud never stuck to him
Cunning
Knowledge; art; skill; dexterity.
Let my right hand forget her cunning.
A carpenter's desertStands more in cunning than in power.
Cunning
The faculty or act of using stratagem to accomplish a purpose; fraudulent skill or dexterity; deceit; craft.
Discourage cunning in a child; cunning is the ape of wisdom.
We take cunning for a sinister or crooked wisdom.
Cunning
Shrewdness in deception;
As cunning as a fox
Cunning
Shrewdness as demonstrated by being skilled in deception
Cunning
Drafty artfulness (especially in deception)
Cunning
Attractive especially by means of smallness or prettiness or quaintness;
A cute kid with pigtails
A cute little apartment
Cunning kittens
A cunning baby
Cunning
Marked by skill in deception;
Cunning men often pass for wise
Deep political machinations
A foxy scheme
A slick evasive answer
Sly as a fox
Tricky Dik
A wily old attorney
Cunning
Showing inventiveness and skill;
A clever gadget
The cunning maneuvers leading to his success
An ingenious solution to the problem
Common Curiosities
Can cunning ever be considered a positive trait?
Yes, in contexts where strategic thinking and intelligence are valued.
Are there positive uses for the term slippery?
It's less common, but it can be used to describe clever evasion in some contexts.
What does it mean when someone is described as cunning?
It means they use their intellect and deceit to achieve their goals.
What makes a surface slippery?
Lack of friction or a smooth, wet, or icy coating.
Can animals be cunning?
Yes, in the sense of using clever behaviors to survive or thrive.
How does the term slippery apply in everyday language?
It can describe anything from physical surfaces to elusive behaviors.
Why might someone be called slippery in a professional context?
Due to their tendency to evade clear answers or responsibilities.
Can a situation be described as slippery?
Yes, particularly if it's complex and difficult to resolve.
Is cunning more about intellect or deceit?
It involves both intellect and deceit used strategically.
What is the difference between being cunning and smart?
Cunning involves using smarts for deceitful purposes, whereas being smart doesn't inherently involve deceit.
How do authors use the concept of cunning in fiction?
Typically to add complexity to characters who manipulate others to achieve their goals.
How can one handle a slippery situation at work?
By being cautious and clear in communication to avoid misunderstandings.
Is it better to be cunning or straightforward?
It depends on the ethical implications and the context of the situation.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
