Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
sweeney
noun
/ˈswiːni/
Definition
A term often used in British English to refer to a person who is considered to be cunning or crafty.
Examples
- “The sweeney at the market outsmarted everyone with his clever deals.”
- “You have to watch out for that sweeney; he always has a trick up his sleeve.”
- “Some might call him a sweeney, but I think he’s just resourceful.”
Meaning
The word ‘sweeney’ derives from a colloquial term for someone who is sly or scheming, often used to describe a person with questionable morals or intentions.
Synonyms
- cunning
- crafty
- sly
- shrewd
- devious
