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
-
This is embodied intelligence – the idea that some elements of cognition can be outsourced to the body.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
29 June 2025 -
In an interview with Sunday Morning Futures with Maria Bartiromo, Bartiromo brought up a Truth Social post from Trump saying Democrats had leaked intelligence around the Iran strike, to which the president interjected that they should be prosecuted.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
29 June 2025
Noun
-
The chief specimen here (played by MMA fighter Chi Lewis-Parry) is a massive beast whose brute strength is matched by his cunning.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
18 June 2025
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On the other end of the spectrum was the more docile Kelly who often felt conflicted when her morals clashed with the cunning needed to succeed in the game.—
Nick Caruso,
TVLine,
27 May 2025
Noun
-
With the shoreline in easy sight, the injured Nancy is stranded to fight off a killer shark with nothing more than her wits (and a seagull, which becomes her Wilson the volleyball).—
Chris Nashawaty,
EW.com,
20 June 2025
-
Solo ended her high school career wit ha 63-19 record and a 1.78 ERA.—
Adam Lichtenstein,
Sun Sentinel,
20 June 2025
Noun
-
If a panel fails to express those subtleties, all the audience sees is a flat mass of darkness.—
Bae Dongmi,
Variety,
30 June 2025
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Instead, this otherwise generic ballad that preaches the merits of rejoicing in partnership, love guiding the way and sacred gardens with all the subtlety of a sledgehammer, showcases a trio steeped in restraint.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
27 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 5 Jul. 2025.
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