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sournois

sneaky, sly

adjective soor-NWAH Rare

Also means

underhanded

Usage Note

Sournois carries a strong negative charge — it describes someone who hides bad intentions behind a calm surface. The feminine form is sournoise. A regard sournois ('a sneaky look') implies deception rather than simple shyness.

Examples

"Il a un sourire sournois."

Natural Translation

He has a sly smile.

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