craftily crossword clue – All Crossword Answers
Welcome to Crosswordanswer.co.uk! If you're stuck on the clue "craftily," you've come to the right place. Below, you'll find a comprehensive list of possible answers, organized by letter count, along with clear explanations to help you complete your puzzle with ease. Let's find that perfect fit!
Solutions for "craftily crossword clue" by Letter Count
5 Letters
SLYLY: Done in a cunning or artful manner, often implying subtle and indirect methods to achieve a goal, sometimes with a hint of deceit.
8 Letters
ARTFULLY: Executed with cleverness and skill, often with a hidden agenda or subtle manipulation. This word emphasizes the skill involved in the cunning action.
ASTUTELY: In a shrewd or keen-witted manner; showing practical intelligence, especially in financial or political matters. While it can imply cleverness, it often has a more positive or neutral connotation than 'craftily'.
SHREWDLY: Done with sharp practical intelligence; sagaciously. Similar to 'astutely', it highlights perceptive and discerning judgment, which can be used 'craftily'.
9 Letters
CUNNINGLY: In a clever and deceitful way, typically to achieve a goal by indirect or tricky means. This word strongly aligns with the deceptive aspect of 'craftily'.
More About "craftily crossword clue"
"Craftily" suggests an action performed with skill, but often with an underlying motive of deception or clever manipulation. It implies a certain ingenuity used to outwit or gain an advantage, without necessarily resorting to overt force. This nuanced meaning makes it a favourite for crossword setters, as it can have several synonyms depending on the specific nuance desired, ranging from subtle trickery to outright cleverness.
When you encounter "craftily" in a crossword, consider the context of other clues or completed letters. Does the puzzle lean towards a more negative connotation of deceit, or is it highlighting an ingenious, albeit perhaps indirect, way of doing something? Words like SLYLY, ARTFULLY, and CUNNINGLY all capture aspects of this, but each carries its own subtle difference in emphasis, which is key to finding the exact fit.
Understanding the root of "craft" as skill or art is helpful. While 'craft' itself is often positive (e.g., a craftsman), the adverb 'craftily' usually carries a more pejorative sense, implying that the skill is used in a self-serving or subtly dishonest manner. This dual nature is what makes it a rich clue for puzzlers.
Tips For Your Next Puzzle
- Analyze the Nuance: For clues like "craftily," think about the subtle shades of meaning. Does the clue imply deceit, cleverness, or both? This can guide you to the most precise synonym.
- Check Cross-References: Always look at the intersecting words. Even one correct letter from another clue can significantly narrow down the possibilities for "craftily."
- Consider Word Lengths: Start by brainstorming words that fit the clue and then match them to the available letter counts in your puzzle. This page provides a great starting point for various lengths.
- Think about Adverbs: "Craftily" is an adverb. Often, its answers will also be adverbs (ending in -LY). This can be a useful pattern to identify.
- Use a Thesaurus: If you're completely stuck, a good thesaurus can provide a wide range of synonyms for "craftily," which you can then check against your puzzle's letter count.
For more advice, visit our page on general crossword strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many letters are in the shortest answer for 'craftily'?
The shortest common answer for 'craftily' is SLYLY, which has 5 letters. However, other puzzles might introduce less common, shorter words.
Can 'craftily' imply positive or negative actions?
'Craftily' usually carries a connotation of cleverness used for personal gain, which can be seen as negative, implying trickery or manipulation. However, in some contexts, 'craft' can refer to skill, so 'craftily' could imply ingenuity, but it more commonly leans towards the cunning side.
Where does the word 'craftily' originate from?
The word 'craftily' stems from 'craft,' which comes from Old English 'cræft' meaning skill, power, or art. Over time, 'craft' and its derivatives like 'crafty' and 'craftily' evolved to also encompass the sense of cunning or deceitful skill.