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slimily

slimily

1 8.3
In a friendly but not honest way that makes people not trust you
  • adverb
  • /ˈslɪmɪli/
  • Offensive
translation icon : zalameramente
  • The politician slimily avoided answering the reporter's direct question.

Examples

  • She slimily agreed with everything, making everyone uncomfortable.

  • He slimily complimented his boss, hoping for a promotion.

  • He smiled slimily at the customer.

  • She spoke slimily to gain their trust.

  • He spoke to her slimily, trying to win her trust with false compliments.

  • The salesman smiled slimily as he exaggerated the benefits of the product.

  • She gave a slimily insincere apology that left everyone feeling uneasy.

Synonyms

insincerely
vsslimily
1 4.5

To say or do something without meaning it

is more about unpleasant, flattering dishonesty that suggests untrustworthiness
fulsomely
vsslimily
  • Formal
1 9.4

To praise someone too much so it does not sound sincere

is more about general untrustworthiness and not only excessive praise
unctuously
vsslimily
1 9.8

Speaks or acts in a too friendly way that does not seem honest

is less about oily charm and more about overall untrustworthy flattery
beguilingly
vsslimily
1 7.8

In a charming way that may trick someone

is bluntly unpleasant and untrustworthy rather than softly charming or deceptive
smarmily
vsslimily
  • Informal
9.3

In a very polite but fake way to get someone to like you

is harsher, focusing on unpleasant deceit or untrustworthy behavior rather than politeness

Antonyms

152 1.0

In a way that shows true feelings without pretending

How Insincere

slimily
  • Offensive
1 8.3
insincerely
1 4.5
flatteringly
1 4.6
cordially
11 4.0
genuinely
216 2.5

Surface Forms

slimily positive

Morphology

slimily = slimy (semi-transparent) = slimy + ly

The word 'slimily' is derived from 'slimy' with the addition of '-ly', but the meaning shift to 'insincere or untrustworthy' is not fully transparent.

Etymology

Slimily comes from slime ('wet, sticky stuff') with the endings -y and -ly, and a helpful way to remember the figurative meaning is to think of a person who seems 'slippery' like slime. So slimily can describe someone acting in a creepy, overly flattering, or untrustworthy way.