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panky

panky

6 9.9
Dishonest actions that try to trick people to get something
  • noun
  • /ˈpæŋki/
  • UK
translation icon : trapicheo
  • Unfortunately, what the institute discovered was too much hanky-panky.
  • Hanky-Panky

Examples

  • And may we add, a lot less hanky-panky.

    Blog text (7)
  • The auditor found evidence of hanky-panky in the company's financial reports.

  • So there was no hanky panky, which is interesting.

  • And no more hanky-panky with the boys.

  • No hanky-panky in the Bob mobile.

  • That is if there is no election hanky-panky.

    Blog text (15)
  • Keep the game on the up and up, no hanky-panky double-dealing here.

  • You've been in this business long as I have, you develop a nose for hanky-panky.

  • As co-chairman of the firm, surely he had knowledge of the financial hanky-panky that would prove so disastrous down the road.

    Blog text (12)
  • In a piece in this morning's New York Times, we get a peek at voter hanky-panky, GOP-style.

    Blog text (11)

Synonyms

dishonesty
vspanky
46 3.2

Actions like lying, cheating, or stealing

is the specific label for suspicious behaviour involving trickery
trickery
vspanky
27 4.9

To use dishonest ways to cheat people

is more general, also including suspicious conduct not only tricks
cheat
vspanky
15 2.8

An act of dishonesty that gives someone an unfair advantage

is the general behaviour category that includes such acts
chicanery
vspanky
  • Formal
8 9.3

Tricks people use to deceive others to get money or advantage

is similar but not limited to clever or legalistic tricks
hanky-panky
vspanky
  • Slang
8 8.6

Secret or dishonest actions that try to cheat people

is the neutral term for dishonest or deceptive behavior
3 8.8

A way of hiding the truth by pretending to be less involved

covers broader deceit and suspicious behaviour beyond insincerity
deviousness
vspanky
2 7.0

Secret actions that are dishonest or unfair to get what you want

is the simpler label for deceit without stressing indirectness
knavery
vspanky
  • Archaic
2 9.9

Dishonest actions such as lying, cheating, or stealing

is the specific term for suspicious or tricky behaviour
sneakiness
vspanky
1 6.0

Doing things quietly to trick people without them noticing

covers deceptive behaviour generally, not only secret stealthy acts
skulduggery
vspanky
1 9.8

Secret dishonest actions to get an unfair advantage

is broader, covering suspicious acts beyond unfair gain
flam
vspanky
  • Archaic
1 9.9

A trick done to cheat or fool people

is the wider concept of ongoing or general dishonest behaviour
fraudulence
vspanky
1 8.7

Dishonest behaviour that aims to get money or other unfair personal gain

is broader, including suspicious behavior not solely for financial gain
humbuggery
vspanky
  • Archaic
1 9.7

Dishonest words or actions that try to trick people

covers similar deceit but without stressing intent to mislead
double-dealing
vspanky
1 7.1

Dishonest behavior of pretending one thing but doing another

is general deceit without requiring double intentions or pretense
crooked dealing
vspanky
1 6.3

Dishonest behavior in business or money matters

is broader, applying to trickery in any situation not just business
crookedness
vspanky
1 6.9

Dishonest behavior by a person or group

is the active behaviour of tricking or acting suspiciously
underhandedness
vspanky
1 7.1

Dishonest or sneaky behaviour to get what you want

is the simpler term for dishonest or suspicious conduct
jiggery-pokery
vspanky
  • Archaic
9.9

Dishonest actions that try to trick people

is the straightforward label for tricking or deceitful behaviour
shiftiness
vspanky
8.1

A person's secretive way of acting that makes others not trust them

focuses on the dishonest acts themselves rather than mannerisms
dodginess
vspanky
  • UK
8.5

Something that seems wrong, unsafe, or not honest

names actual trickery or deceit rather than just suspicion
crookery
vspanky
9.5

Actions that cheat people to get their money

is broader and includes suspicious acts that may not be criminal
8.8

A habit of ignoring right and wrong and being dishonest to get what you want

focuses on trickery and suspicious acts rather than moral absence

Antonyms

447 4.3

Being honest and doing what is right

365 1.0

Being truthful and fair in what you say and do

Compounds

hanky-panky
  • Slang
8 8.6

Secret or dishonest actions that try to cheat people

hank panky
  • NSFW
9.4

Secret sexual activity that is playful and not allowed

Surface Forms

panky singular
pankies plural

Etymology

Panky probably comes from the playful doubled phrase panky-panky or fancy-panky, a short, cheeky way people used to talk about sly or improper acts. So when someone calls something panky they mean secret, sly, or 'dishonest' behavior.