kavalust

Kavalust is an Estonian noun meaning cunning, deceit, or trickery. It refers to the quality or acts of being sly and using deception to achieve an aim. The term is commonly used with a negative or critical nuance, describing manipulative behavior, schemes, or ruses, whether in everyday speech, journalism, or literature. In broader analysis, kavalust can denote strategic planning influenced by slyness, especially in discussions of politics, competition, or interpersonal relations where openness or sincerity is compromised.

Kavalust is derived from the adjective kaval (cunning, sly) and the abstract-noun suffix -us. In Estonian grammar, kavalust is the partitive singular form of kavalus and is used when referring to "some deceit" or "deceitful acts" rather than the abstract idea alone. The word has cognates in related Finnic languages and typical stylistic usage in both colloquial and formal registers.

In usage notes, kavalust is often contrasted with straightforwardness or honesty, and it frequently appears in critiques of manipulation, fraud, or political intrigue. Synonyms include pettus and other deceit-related terms; antonyms emphasize candor and transparency.

Related terms include kavalus (the base noun for the quality) and pettus (deceit).