caginess

noun

variants also cageyness
1
as in intelligence
exceptional discernment and judgment especially in practical matters most consumers should possess sufficient caginess to see through that scam

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in cunning
skill in achieving one's ends through indirect, subtle, or underhanded means the lawyer's celebrated caginess makes her the first choice of the hopelessly guilty

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for caginess
  1. intelligence
  2. cunning
  3. wit
  4. deviousness
  5. shrewdness
  6. subtlety
  7. insight
  8. slyness
Noun
  • Just eight vessels crossed the crucial waterway yesterday, five sticking to the Iranian route and three following an undetected route, maritime intelligence firm Kpler said.
    — Kevin Liptak, CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Taiwan's government said Hsu's case involved gaining intelligence for mainland China and influencing Taiwanese politics.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of intelligence
Noun
  • Rhaenyra also dismisses Mysaria, a wise move carried out in a very unwise manner, given the woman’s cunning.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Nolan foregrounds the nobility that guides the character (his guilt, his dedication to his men, his yearning for his family) and neglects his wily cunning and egotism.
    — Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 27 July 2026
Definition of cunning
Noun
  • And as always, Reacher’s bone-dry and hyper-literal wit continues to charm in this new adventure from showrunner Nick Santora (this time adapting author Lee Child’s Gone Tomorrow).
    — James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 11 Aug. 2026
  • While Eldridge’s thumb still isn’t 100 percent, the same can’t be said of his wit.
    — Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of wit
Noun
  • The piece urges critical inquiry into such claims, emphasizing that human oversight, not AI's inherent deviousness, can be a sizable contributor.
    — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2026
  • The rules allowed offensive linemen to grapple and hold the bottom of their shoulder pads with savvy bordering on deviousness.
    — Alec Lewis, New York Times, 24 July 2026
Definition of deviousness
Noun
  • Spain’s shrewdness came in their refusal to engage with off-the-ball trivialities.
    — Adam Crafton, New York Times, 20 July 2026
  • Instead, Franklin will rise by virtue of hard work and (actual) shrewdness.
    — John Swansburg, The Atlantic, 15 June 2026
Definition of shrewdness
Noun
  • The subtlety and strength on show in those few seconds should not be taken for granted.
    — Art de Roché, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2026
  • This subtlety may have legal relevance for grantees planning to sue the administration, said Lauren Adams, a spokesperson for AcademyHealth.
    — Arthur Allen, Miami Herald, 30 July 2026
Definition of subtlety
Noun
  • Together, Clancy’s vocal, physical and written messages offered key insights into her perspective in the second week of her trial on three counts of murder in the killings of her children Cora, 5; Dawson, 3; and Callan, 8 months.
    — Andi Babineau, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026
  • This information extends beyond mere fairness, offering crucial insights into career trajectory, market value, and essential skill development.
    — Sho Dewan, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of insight
Noun
  • The harp is not an instrument of slyness, wryness, or the earth.
    — Emma Madden, Pitchfork, 28 Apr. 2026
  • Like the tricksters of myth, there’s depth to their slyness.
    — Big Think, Big Think, 5 Feb. 2026
Definition of slyness
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Browse Nearby Words

cagey
caginess
caging
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Cite this Entry

“Caginess.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/caginess. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

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