1
: dexterous or crafty in the use of special resources (such as skill or knowledge) or in attaining an end
a cunning plotter
Remember the story about a cunning fox and a foolish goat? The one where the fox talks the poor goat into leaping into a well, just to climb on its head and get out?—
Robert Krajewski
Robert Krajewski2
: characterized by wiliness and trickery
cunning schemes
… there's the cunning brevity of the chapters—a hundred and twenty-nine of them—that makes a long story zip by.—Anthony Lane
Anthony Lane3
: displaying keen insight
a cunning observation
4
: prettily appealing : cute
a cunning little kitten
cunningness
noun
Examples of cunning in a Sentence
Adjective
… 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
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
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
She was cunning enough to fool me.
a cunning, underhanded plan to win the election by preying on people's fears and prejudices
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
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
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
She was cunning enough to fool me.
a cunning, underhanded plan to win the election by preying on people's fears and prejudices
Recent Examples on the Web
David Frum, The Atlantic, 21 May 2026
Dano’s static line delivery gets used for a chilling but laconic effect as his character’s cunning political negotiations lead to deadly outcomes.
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 13 May 2026
There’s arguably no one better placed to collaborate with VFX artists on a motion-capture performance than Serkis, who’s delivered innocence, cunning, cruelty, longing, and kindness in roles that run from Golum to Caesar to King Kong himself.
—Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 4 May 2026
Past friends and former associates described him to me as an exceptionally cunning con man, a consummate charmer, and a womanizer.
—Nate Freeman, Vanity Fair, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cunning
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Adjective
What could be more cunning and disgusting than training dogs to commit anal rape?
—David Frum, The Atlantic, 21 May 2026
Dano’s static line delivery gets used for a chilling but laconic effect as his character’s cunning political negotiations lead to deadly outcomes.
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 13 May 2026
There’s arguably no one better placed to collaborate with VFX artists on a motion-capture performance than Serkis, who’s delivered innocence, cunning, cruelty, longing, and kindness in roles that run from Golum to Caesar to King Kong himself.
—Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 4 May 2026
Past friends and former associates described him to me as an exceptionally cunning con man, a consummate charmer, and a womanizer.
—Nate Freeman, Vanity Fair, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cunning
Cite this Entry
“Cunning.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cunning. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
cunning
1 of 2 adjective
cun·ning
ˈkən-iŋ 
1
: very good or very clever at using special knowledge or skills or at getting something done
a cunning detective
2
: showing keen understanding
a cunning observation
3
: marked by deception and trickery
4
cunningness
noun
cunning
2 of 2 noun1
2
: cleverness in getting what one wants often by tricks or deceiving
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