1
as in smart
having or showing a practical cleverness or judgment
a canny card player, good at psyching out his opponents
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in comfortable
chiefly Scottish
enjoying physical comfort
warm and canny under the woolen bedcovers, we didn't mind the chilly Scottish nights
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of canny
Sam was the canny Shubert, the vaguely artistic Shubert, the thought-to-be-maybe-gay Shubert.
—
Frank Rich, Vulture, 8 Apr. 2025
Beneath the high emotion, Patty remains a canny operator.
—Keith Phipps, Vulture, 26 Mar. 2025
To the limited extent that The Residence adds up to more than a canny combination of Shondaland conventions and the whodunit trend currently dominating film and TV, the reason is Cordelia.
—Judy Berman, TIME, 20 Mar. 2025
Now, through a combination of canny collaborations (Charli XCX, Arca), hip creative direction, and bulletproof singles, her forthcoming debut album (still untitled and speculative) has all the potential to cement Rae’s status among the pop prestige.
—Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 19 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for canny
Frank Rich, Vulture, 8 Apr. 2025
Beneath the high emotion, Patty remains a canny operator.
—Keith Phipps, Vulture, 26 Mar. 2025
To the limited extent that The Residence adds up to more than a canny combination of Shondaland conventions and the whodunit trend currently dominating film and TV, the reason is Cordelia.
—Judy Berman, TIME, 20 Mar. 2025
Now, through a combination of canny collaborations (Charli XCX, Arca), hip creative direction, and bulletproof singles, her forthcoming debut album (still untitled and speculative) has all the potential to cement Rae’s status among the pop prestige.
—Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 19 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for canny
Recent Examples of Synonyms for canny
Adjective
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But smart leaders know that not all bets are created equal—and not all uncertainty plays by the same rules.—
Paola Cecchi-Dimeglio,
Forbes.com,
22 Apr. 2025
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Yamaha started with their largest offshore outboard, the XTO 450, and made some smart changes to handle hydrogen.—
Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report,
FOXNews.com,
22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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These minimalist interior designers skillfully incorporate clean lines and neutral palettes to devise interiors that are comfortable and highly functional.—
Elizabeth Stamp,
Architectural Digest,
29 Apr. 2025
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It’s made from a soft and lightweight cotton and polyester blend that’s ideal for chilly mornings and warmer afternoons, and the longline, oversized fit is relaxed and comfortable enough to wear unzipped or bundled up.—
Merrell Readman,
Travel + Leisure,
29 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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This is an astute observation from perhaps hockey’s most astute coach.—
Josh Yohe,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2025
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Financially, few compare to Tottenham Hotspur’s astute business acumen, as football finance expert at the University of Liverpool Kieran Maguire pointed out on Rio Ferdinand’s podcast recently.—
Zak Garner-Purkis,
Forbes.com,
23 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Flight attendants have slightly more relaxed regulations, but their duty periods are also capped at 14 hours and are generally required to have at least 10 hours of rest between 14-hour duty periods.—
Zach Wichter,
USA Today,
1 May 2025
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Summer can be one of the best times to adopt a dog, thanks to the warm weather, later sunsets, and relaxed vibe that ease pets and humans into training and bonding.—
Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner,
Forbes.com,
1 May 2025
Adjective
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Getting Jones in Round 5 in 2022 was a shrewd move, but the Bears need more Day 2 and Day 3 hits.—
Brad Biggs,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Apr. 2025
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Their choice already looks shrewd, with Smith producing a 1.54 ERA in his first two starts.—
Ken Rosenthal,
New York Times,
11 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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But the truly savvy teens aren't punching time clocks.—
Sarah Hernholm,
Forbes.com,
20 Apr. 2025
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With $80 billion in new funding from Congress, the IRS went shopping for young, tech savvy accountants and engineers who could deconstruct the complex returns of the wealthy and private companies.—
Robert Frank,
CNBC,
17 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Canny.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/canny. Accessed 7 May. 2025.
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