What's a word for a sneaky attorney?

Asked by: Mr. Ezequiel Harris  |  Last update: October 27, 2025
Score: 4.9/5 (44 votes)

/ˌpɛdiˈfɔgər/ Other forms: pettifoggers. A sneaky, underhanded lawyer is a pettifogger. If your neighbor hires an unscrupulous quack to sue you, you might call his attorney a pettifogger. You don't hear the word pettifogger much these days, since the word is fairly archaic, but you might come across it in an old book.

What is a professional word for sneaky?

base, contemptible, cowardly, deceitful, double-dealing, duplicitous, furtive, guileful, indirect, low, malicious, mean, recreant, secretive, slippery, sneaking, snide, stealthy, surreptitious, underhand, unreliable, unscrupulous, untrustworthy, yellow.

What is a derogatory name for a lawyer?

In the U.S., slang and derogatory terms include mouthpiece, shyster, shark, pettifogger (now rare) and ambulance-chaser. In the UK, there are legal professionals called “solicitors” who have a role that's different from that of “barristers,” the lawyers who appear as counsel in the highest-level courts.

What is a word for sneaky and secretive?

Some common synonyms of stealthy are clandestine, covert, furtive, secret, surreptitious, and underhanded.

What is the legal term for sneaky?

Sharp practice. Sharp practice or sharp dealing is a pejorative phrase to describe sneaky or cunning behavior that is technically within the rules of the law but borders on being unethical.

SAT Vocabulary Words and Definitions — Attorney general

45 related questions found

How to professionally say sneaky?

adjective
  1. shady.
  2. sly.
  3. stealthy.
  4. shifty.
  5. furtive.
  6. cheating.
  7. sneaking.
  8. slippery.

What is the disparaging word for lawyers?

/ˌpɛdiˈfɔgər/ Other forms: pettifoggers. A sneaky, underhanded lawyer is a pettifogger. If your neighbor hires an unscrupulous quack to sue you, you might call his attorney a pettifogger.

What is a word for a shady lawyer?

Shyster (/ˈʃaɪstər/; also spelled schiester, scheister, etc.) is a slang word for someone who acts in a disreputable, unethical, or unscrupulous way, especially in the practice of law, sometimes also politics or economics.

What is a slang word for lawyer?

Mouthpiece is a slang term for a lawyer, especially a criminal defense lawyer. The term stems from the view of lawyers as being the spokesperson for their client.

How do you describe a bad lawyer?

Any behavior that compromises professionalism, such as rudeness, tardiness, or lack of respect for client confidentiality, should raise concerns about the lawyer's competence. Additionally, ethical misconduct or disciplinary actions by regulatory authorities may indicate a lack of integrity and competence.

What do you call an unethical attorney?

nounas in unscrupulous lawyer; swindler. ambulance chaser. cheater. chiseler. crooked lawyer.

What is the B word for lawyer?

barrister, counsellor, legal adviser. in the sense of barrister. a lawyer who is qualified to plead in the higher courts.

What do you call someone that is sneaky?

deceitful. devious. dishonest. double-dealing. down and dirty (informal)

What is a word for deceitful and untrustworthy?

Some common synonyms of deceitful are dishonest, mendacious, and untruthful. While all these words mean "unworthy of trust or belief," deceitful usually implies an intent to mislead and commonly suggests a false appearance or double-dealing.

What is a word for secret keeper?

If you have a confidante, you're lucky. She is a friend you can confide in, someone you trust with your private thoughts, and who you're sure can keep a secret. If your trusted friend is male, you call him your confidant. In fact, you could call a male or a female "secret keeper" your confidant (without the "e").

What do you call a fake lawyer?

crooked lawyer (noun as in shyster) Strong matches. cheater chiseler mouthpiece pettifogger scammer trickster.

How do you say "sketchy" professionally?

Synonyms of 'sketchy' in American English
  1. incomplete.
  2. inadequate.
  3. perfunctory.
  4. rough.
  5. scrappy.
  6. superficial.

What is it called when a lawyer is negligent?

Legal malpractice is the term for negligence, breach of fiduciary duty, or breach of contract by a lawyer during the provision of legal services that causes harm to a client.

What are negative words for lawyers?

Common stereotypes of lawyers include negative labels such as: liar, greedy, wealthy, impersonal, overaggressive, and arrogant. While we understand that those labels can be and have been attributed to other professions, the legal world is particularly attacked.

What is the legal term for defaming someone?

Defamation is the actual word to describe a communication (“publication” is the legal term) that is untrue and harms another person. The two types of Defamation are verbal (slander) and written (libel.)

What is a shyster lawyer?

There, on page 806, Garner defines shyster as “a rascally” lawyer; one that is “shrewdly dishonest,” “an unscrupulous lawyer.” So far, no prejudice, except the welcome and healthy prejudice against crookedness.

What is a big word for sneaky?

synonyms: furtive, sneak, stealthy, surreptitious. concealed.

What is a slang term for sneak?

Synonyms: informer, informant, telltale, tattletale (US, informal), snitch (slang), rat (slang), squealer (slang), stool pigeon (slang), nark (slang), stoolie (slang), fink (US, slang) Sense: Verb: move quietly. Synonyms: creep , prowl, lurk, tiptoe, steal , skulk, pussyfoot, slink, slip , slide.

What is a synonym for shady slang?

crooked dishonest dubious questionable slippery underhanded unscrupulous. Weak matches. disgraceful dishonorable fishy ignominious infamous inglorious notorious scandalous shabby shameful shifty shoddy suspect unethical unrespectable untrustworthy.