1
as in intelligence
exceptional discernment and judgment especially in practical matters
negotiates business deals with all of the proverbial canniness of an old-time horse trader
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in cunning
skill in achieving one's ends through indirect, subtle, or underhanded means
the canniness with which she negotiated her contract as spokesperson for the shoe manufacturer
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for canniness
Noun
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Suter thrived as a middle-six center in Vancouver, but also has high enough offensive intelligence to complement star players as a top-six winger.—
Harman Dayal,
New York Times,
11 July 2025 -
This is precisely why strategies that integrate the capabilities of artificial and human intelligence could help brands truly enhance and refine their creativity.—
John Hall,
Forbes.com,
11 July 2025
Noun
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Despite being outnumbered fifty-to-one by the Five Families of the Italian Mafia, the Westies’ legendary brutality and cunning have given them the leverage necessary to share the spoils through a fragile détente.—
Joe Otterson,
Variety,
22 July 2025
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Despite being outnumbered 50-to-1 by the Five Families of the Italian mafia, The Westies’ legendary brutality and cunning have given them the leverage necessary to share the spoils through a fragile détente.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
24 June 2025
Noun
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The same substantive deficits afflict Louise-Parker, too, whose bright eyes and brusque wit are wasted in a role that’s villainous potential exists only in exposition.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
13 July 2025
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Stripped of her powers under a red sun, Supergirl must rely on her grit, compassion and wits to guide Ruthye on a path of vengeance and justice, ultimately confronting the nature of violence and power.—
Samantha Stutsman,
People.com,
12 July 2025
Noun
-
Trump, by contrast, doesn’t seem to have any interest in precedence or subtlety.—
Andy Meek,
Forbes.com,
3 July 2025
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But devastation is only the culmination, and not the entirety, of Ruth’s journey, and Chalfant’s performance, for all its exquisite subtlety, is also furiously alive.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
19 June 2025
Noun
-
The guys up at Auburn rave about his intelligence, his football acumen and his work ethic.—
Creg Stephenson | cstephenson@al.com,
al,
20 Jan. 2023
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But Lord knows, there’s a mountain of acumen and perspicacity or, in plain terms, good horse sense stored in those minds and souls.—
Gordon Monson,
The Salt Lake Tribune,
8 Jan. 2023
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Cite this Entry
“Canniness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/canniness. Accessed 26 Jul. 2025.
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