Chicanery
ʃɪˈkeɪnəri
Definitions
The use of trickery or deception to achieve a political, financial, or legal purpose.
ʃɪˈkeɪnəri
Deception or trickery to achieve a political, financial, or legal purpose.
The investigation uncovered widespread chicanery within the company.
💡 Simply: Imagine someone trying to cheat in a game or making a deal that's not fair. That's chicanery! It's like trying to get ahead by being tricky or using sneaky methods.
👶 For kids: When someone tries to trick or cheat you, that's chicanery.
More Examples
The judge was wary of the lawyer's legal chicanery.
The public distrusted the senator due to his history of chicanery.
How It's Used
"The politician was accused of chicanery during the election campaign."
"The lawyer exposed the opposing counsel's legal chicanery."
"The company was exposed for financial chicanery, resulting in a huge fine."
Synonyms
From French *chicanerie*, derived from *chicaner* meaning 'to quibble' or 'to use trickery,' which itself possibly comes from *chique* ('trick'). The word entered English in the 17th century.
The word was used in legal and political contexts in the 18th and 19th centuries to describe underhanded tactics.
Memory tip
Think of 'chic' as in stylish, but 'chicanery' is anything but stylish – it’s sneaky and underhanded.