fishy
Not quite right
Fishy describes what resembles or smells like fish.
The figurative sense dominates: something fishy arouses suspicion or seems dishonest.
There's something fishy about this deal.
The whole situation seemed fishy to me.
The connection is to the unpleasant smell of fish gone bad—if something smells off, it probably is.
Of uncertain reliability
- shadyDisreputable or sun-blocked
- sketchyIncomplete or suspicious
- questionableOf uncertain validity
- iffyUncertain, questionable
dodgy · suspect · peculiar · strange · odd · weird · off · curious
Involving intentional dishonesty
- dishonestInclined to deceive
- deceitfulInclined to mislead others
- underhandedSecretly dishonest or unfair
- crookedBent or dishonest
scheming · conniving · shifty · sneaky · furtive · untrustworthy · guileful · crafty
Olfactory perception
- stenchPowerfully offensive odor
- reekEmit strong odor
- scentAirborne odor detected
- whiffBrief, faint smell
pungent · briny · rank · foul · malodorous · fetid · noisome · ripe
dubious
Of uncertain reliability
- shadyDisreputable or sun-blocked
- sketchyIncomplete or suspicious
- questionableOf uncertain validity
iffy · dodgy · suspect · peculiar · strange · odd · weird · off · curious · funny
fraudulent
Involving intentional dishonesty
- dishonestInclined to deceive
- deceitfulInclined to mislead others
- underhandedSecretly dishonest or unfair
crooked · scheming · conniving · shifty · sneaky · furtive · untrustworthy · guileful · crafty · sly
smell
Olfactory perception
whiff · pungent · briny · rank · foul · malodorous · fetid · noisome · ripe · stinky
slimy
Wet, slippery, unpleasant
scaly · glistening · moist · oily · greasy · gooey · mucous · slithery · gloppy · clammy
scales
Plates or weighing devices
oceanic · aquatic · seafood · salmon · tuna · cod · trout · bass · mackerel · sardine
- smellsmell, scent, odor, reek, aroma
- animal-likeapish, apelike, avian, beastly, birdlike
- food idiomspiece of cake, bread winner, low-hanging fruit, cool as a cucumber, bad egg
- off-flavorsrancid, spoiled, sour, skunking, rotten
- taste and smelltaste, smell, flavor, gustation, olfaction
- Questionabledubious, shady, sketchy, iffy, dodgy
fishytrustworthy
Worthy of confidence
aboveboard · legitimate · honest · unsuspicious · on the level
fishycertain
Free from doubt
indisputable · unquestionable · clear · obvious · undeniable
- go fishingPursue aquatic catch
- fried fishCooked seafood in oil
- fishing rodTackle for catching fish
- fish out of waterOne in alien circumstances
- fish and chipsFried seafood with potatoes
- gone fishingAway, pursuing aquatic catch
fish, fishing, fisherman, jellyfish, goldfish, shellfish, fishes, fished, starfish