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
His statesmanship has been shrewd, strategic and inspiring.
—
John T. Shaw, Twin Cities, 10 July 2025
The head of the vaunted Finance Committee, Burke not only worked the city’s purse strings but also was a shrewd ward boss, political tactician and judicial slate-maker.
—Madeline Buckley, Chicago Tribune, 8 July 2025
But Tocqueville’s shrewder observation is that rising legal and economic equality indirectly produces social inequality as the dominant class is forced to confront the prospect of forfeiting its dominance.
—Andrea Long Chu, Vulture, 5 Aug. 2025
The Houston Astros might have been the shrewdest deadline buyer.
—Tony Blengino, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shrewd
John T. Shaw, Twin Cities, 10 July 2025
The head of the vaunted Finance Committee, Burke not only worked the city’s purse strings but also was a shrewd ward boss, political tactician and judicial slate-maker.
—Madeline Buckley, Chicago Tribune, 8 July 2025
But Tocqueville’s shrewder observation is that rising legal and economic equality indirectly produces social inequality as the dominant class is forced to confront the prospect of forfeiting its dominance.
—Andrea Long Chu, Vulture, 5 Aug. 2025
The Houston Astros might have been the shrewdest deadline buyer.
—Tony Blengino, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shrewd
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shrewd
Adjective
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From supporting local zoning reforms to promoting smart federal investments, our goal is simple: expand access to homeownership.—
Collyn Wainwright,
The Tennessean,
21 Aug. 2025
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The Stretford End looked smart before kick-off against Arsenal on Sunday.—
Andy Mitten,
New York Times,
20 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Instead, Holland’s bitter ex-spy Harcourt and Brooks’ empathetic Adebayo are mostly on Chris’ side from the jump this season.—
Alan Sepinwall,
Rolling Stone,
15 Aug. 2025
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Drag slider compare photos Before After Bakhmut After months of bitter clashes since July 2022, the Donetsk city of Bakhmut, north of Avdiivka, fell to Russian forces in May 2023.—
Ellie Cook
John Feng,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Köhler specializes in cunning, tonally surprising films about cross-cultural disconnection, and Gavagai is his most ambitious and expansive film yet—a pinpoint-accurate account of moral crises and social biases, modern and ancient, internal and external.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
5 Aug. 2025
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But as the supervisors tweaked the incentives, a new form of cunning arose.—
Craig S. Smith,
Forbes.com,
25 July 2025
Adjective
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So, having as much spending money as possible, especially with Bryce Young entering the fourth year of his rookie contract in 2026, is astute.—
Mike Kaye
August 20,
Charlotte Observer,
20 Aug. 2025
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Elliott Investment Management Ownership: n/a Average Cost: n/a Activist Commentary: Elliott is a very successful and astute activist investor.—
Kenneth Squire,
CNBC,
2 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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For, in a market where everyone’s shouting, the sharpest ideas, delivered clearly, consistently and credibly, are what cut through.—
Henry McIntosh,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
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The Republican president has said crime in the city was at emergency levels that only such federal intervention could fix — even as District of Columbia leaders pointed to statistics showing violent crime at a 30-year low after a sharp rise two years ago.—
Lindsay Whitehurst,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Cups are often the first things to go, and these are cute enough that people will want to take them home.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
23 Aug. 2025
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But for those trying to make their warm-weather pieces last a bit longer, a cute layer will do the trick.—
Mia Huelsbeck,
People.com,
23 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The brand is especially beloved among bartenders, its trendiness fueled at least in part by a cult online following and savvy social media placement.—
David Thomas Tao,
Forbes.com,
20 Aug. 2025
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But savvy newcomer Celine Dumont, played by Oscar winner Marion Cotillard, arrives on the scene to play devil’s advocate.—
Jackie Strause,
HollywoodReporter,
20 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The socially biting comedy comes out at a time of political unrest in Argentina under Javier Milei’s presidency, a government marked by several funding cuts to culture.—
Rafa Sales Ross,
Variety,
6 Aug. 2025
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No one mentioned the annoying swarms of tiny biting midges that plague Scotland’s west coast in the summer.—
Angus MacKinnon,
CNN Money,
3 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shrewd.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shrewd. Accessed 28 Aug. 2025.
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