1
: having or showing the insight, intelligence, and understanding to make good judgments about practical matters (as business or finance)
a shrewd investor
made some shrewd business moves
a coach with a shrewd eye for talent
2
3
archaic
: mischievous
shrewdly
adverb
shrewdness
noun
Examples of shrewd in a Sentence
According to Frank Luntz, Republican pollster and spinmeister, these younger working women with small children are critical swing voters. By dint of focus groups and shrewd professional questioning, Luntz has determined what these women need most—more time in their lives. He seemed to regard this finding as a considerable coup.
—
Molly Ivins, Mother Jones, September/October 2004
When Ann Richards fractured her hand in a fall nine years ago, she went to the doctor for a bone density test only to learn that she had … an early form of osteoporosis. The diagnosis spurred the former Texas governor, whose mother and grandmother also suffered from the disease, to write I'm Not Slowing Down: Winning My Battle with Osteoporosis … an inspiring little volume filled with the author's shrewd insights into healthcare, gender and, yes, politics.
—Julie Hale, Book Page, August 2003
One shrewd political tactician who knew what it was like to lose a close election watched Goldwater closely. Nixon had an eye on a comeback in 1968 and knew he needed the South—all of it this time.
—Jon Meacham, Newsweek, 23 Dec. 2002
But a growing empire produces tough challenges. Winfrey is used to ironclad control. A shrewd businesswoman, she still signs all the checks of more than $1,000 for her Harpo Entertainment Group, and she meticulously scrutinizes the smaller ones that others sign for her.
—Lynette Clemetson, Newsweek, 8 Jan. 2001
She's shrewd about her investments.
a shrewd used car dealer who knew how to make the best possible deal
Molly Ivins, Mother Jones, September/October 2004
When Ann Richards fractured her hand in a fall nine years ago, she went to the doctor for a bone density test only to learn that she had … an early form of osteoporosis. The diagnosis spurred the former Texas governor, whose mother and grandmother also suffered from the disease, to write I'm Not Slowing Down: Winning My Battle with Osteoporosis … an inspiring little volume filled with the author's shrewd insights into healthcare, gender and, yes, politics.
—Julie Hale, Book Page, August 2003
One shrewd political tactician who knew what it was like to lose a close election watched Goldwater closely. Nixon had an eye on a comeback in 1968 and knew he needed the South—all of it this time.
—Jon Meacham, Newsweek, 23 Dec. 2002
But a growing empire produces tough challenges. Winfrey is used to ironclad control. A shrewd businesswoman, she still signs all the checks of more than $1,000 for her Harpo Entertainment Group, and she meticulously scrutinizes the smaller ones that others sign for her.
—Lynette Clemetson, Newsweek, 8 Jan. 2001
She's shrewd about her investments.
a shrewd used car dealer who knew how to make the best possible deal
Recent Examples on the Web
What the teams have done since is some of the shrewdest business ever brokered in sports history.
—Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 13 Nov. 2025
Ortiz will play Emi Ochoa, the shrewd-if-unpredictable daughter of a very powerful, very corrupt state senator with ties to RJ’s (Speedman) past.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 12 Nov. 2025
United’s football board is a ceremonial construct these days — the big decisions are taken at plc level — but keeping Ferguson and Gill updated is considered internally as a shrewd move.
—Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 11 Nov. 2025
Baltimore's front office is far too shrewd to even consider this.
—Matthew Schmidt, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shrewd
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Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 13 Nov. 2025
Ortiz will play Emi Ochoa, the shrewd-if-unpredictable daughter of a very powerful, very corrupt state senator with ties to RJ’s (Speedman) past.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 12 Nov. 2025
United’s football board is a ceremonial construct these days — the big decisions are taken at plc level — but keeping Ferguson and Gill updated is considered internally as a shrewd move.
—Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 11 Nov. 2025
Baltimore's front office is far too shrewd to even consider this.
—Matthew Schmidt, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shrewd
Cite this Entry
“Shrewd.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shrewd. Accessed 18 Nov. 2025.
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