cunning

¹cun·ning

adj \ˈkə-niŋ\

: dexterous or crafty in the use of special resources (as skill or knowledge) or in attaining an end <a cunning plotter>

: displaying keen insight <a cunning observation>

: characterized by wiliness and trickery <cunning schemes>

: prettily appealing : cute <a cunning little kitten>

— cun·ning·ly \-niŋ-lē\ adverb

— cun·ning·ness noun

She was cunning enough to fool me.
<a cunning, underhanded plan to win the election by preying on people's fears and prejudices>
… this cat has made his way into the Fitness Center for cunning reasons of his own and reveals himself only to certain privileged individuals. —Joyce Carol Oates, Harper's, June 2008
Throughout his time hunting the vampire, Manolito had been wounded and poisoned on many occasions, but still he'd survived because he'd always used his brain. He was cunning and shrewd and very intelligent. —Christine Feehan, Dark Possession, 2007
I have recounted the advice I received from an old-timer about how to keep raccoons out of garbage cans—advice that eventually included the purchase of a combination lock. (“A raccoon's cunning, but he's got no head for figures.”) —Calvin Trillin, New Yorker, 11 Oct. 1993
So the Leader went into his den and looked at his children—two very cunning little cubs, lying on the floor. —Hugh Lofting, The Story of Doctor Dolittle, 1920
A cunning politician is often found skulking under the clerical robe, with an outside all religion, and an inside all political rancour. —Washington Irving, A History of New York, 1809, in History, Tales and Sketches, (1977) 1983
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