1
as in smart
having or showing a practical cleverness or judgment
a shrewd used car dealer who knew how to make the best possible deal shrewd investments that paid off big
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2
as in bitter
causing intense discomfort to one's skin
she pulled her coat tighter against the shrewd breeze whipping down the alley
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3
as in cunning
clever at attaining one's ends by indirect and often deceptive means
a shrewd operator in the real estate game, she made every buyer think they were getting the deal of the century
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of shrewd
Earlier this spring, Johnson talked openly about pushing Swift to combine his sharp vision with shrewd discipline.
—
Dan Wiederer, Chicago Tribune, 3 June 2025
Slot has been shrewd in knowing where to stick and where to twist when assessing the strengths of his squad, with a humility that is admired by those in the game.
—Andy Jones, New York Times, 29 May 2025
Ross expected growth and shrewd moves from Garfinkel on the business side of his enterprise.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 20 May 2025
To the world, Seema is a shrewd real estate broker.
—Lisa Stardust, People.com, 28 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for shrewd
Dan Wiederer, Chicago Tribune, 3 June 2025
Slot has been shrewd in knowing where to stick and where to twist when assessing the strengths of his squad, with a humility that is admired by those in the game.
—Andy Jones, New York Times, 29 May 2025
Ross expected growth and shrewd moves from Garfinkel on the business side of his enterprise.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 20 May 2025
To the world, Seema is a shrewd real estate broker.
—Lisa Stardust, People.com, 28 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for shrewd
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shrewd
Adjective
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He’s evaluated everything from TVs and soundbars to smart gadgets and wearables, ...—
Parker Hall,
Wired News,
21 June 2025
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Right now, Meta pretty much owns the smart glasses space and these specs could help cement that leadership.—
David Phelan,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2025
Adjective
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But the two mainstays of the game are far from bitter rivals.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
27 June 2025
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Pashinyan was the focus of protests last year by tens of thousands of demonstrators after Armenia agreed to hand over control of several border villages to Azerbaijan and to normalize relations between the neighbors and bitter rivals.—
Avet Demourian,
Los Angeles Times,
27 June 2025
Adjective
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With wit and cunning, the protagonists navigate the ever-present systems of oppression that encircle them and their relationships.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 June 2025
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President Trump does not exhibit Bismarck’s cunning, inscrutability, or proclivity for complicated diplomacy.—
Charles C. W. Cooke,
National Review,
24 June 2025
Adjective
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Although there are no easy solutions to these multiplying threats, U.S. leaders can significantly mitigate them by making astute, yet still modest, changes to the arsenal itself and to the overall role of nuclear strategy in U.S. foreign and defense policy.—
VIPIN NARANG,
Foreign Affairs,
24 June 2025
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The 51-year-old is widely considered one of the most astute tacticians in the Premier League and has been the figurehead of one of the smartest, shrewdest clubs anywhere in European soccer for the last seven years.—
Graham Ruthven,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2025
Adjective
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Its exterior is an awkward mashup of new and old ideas—the sharp roofline and giant windscreen give off the impression the car has been crushed—though its dual-color paint job and full-width headlights really work.—
Bryan Hood,
Robb Report,
27 June 2025
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That’s how North Beach, the Miami Beach neighborhood that stands in sharp contrast to oft-electric South Beach, was usually described.—
Jeffrey Steele,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2025
Adjective
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Amazon is stocked with tons of cute coin purses that capture the kawaii aesthetic of Japanese street style.—
Amelia McBride,
Travel + Leisure,
25 June 2025
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Pair this long-line padded sports bra crop tank with a pair of leggings for a cute athletic look.—
Nora Colomer
may earn a commission if you buy through our referral links. This content was created by a team that works independently from the Fox newsroom.,
FOXNews.com,
24 June 2025
Adjective
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Our team of savvy editors independently handpicks all recommendations.—
Fernando Cervantes Jr,
USA Today,
21 June 2025
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The irony of contrast to the former inhabitants’ austere lifestyle, renouncing worldly goods, surely wouldn’t be lost on the savvy guests.—
Beth Landman,
HollywoodReporter,
21 June 2025
Adjective
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As always, Danan’s voice is hysterically funny, her characters’ exhibiting a wry and biting sense of humor.—
Maureen Lee Lenker,
EW.com,
19 May 2025
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Fey’s writing usually has a reputation of being more on the biting or sardonic side, but The Four Seasons trades out the eye rolls for loving looks (mostly).—
Tom Smyth,
Vulture,
15 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shrewd.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shrewd. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.
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