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
Relevance
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
-
Would any self-respecting show really risk insulting the viewer’s intelligence so flagrantly?—
Graham Hillard,
The Washington Examiner,
5 Sep. 2025 -
Tariff anxieties continue to weigh on family office deal-making, which sunk in August by nearly 50% on a year-over-year basis, according to the private wealth intelligence platform.—
Hayley Cuccinello,
CNBC,
4 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Luke Shaw’s technique and cunning at centre-back deserved to be better rewarded.—
Laurie Whitwell,
New York Times,
18 Aug. 2025
-
Others praised the pup's cunning.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The famous wit adds a lot to a story that’s partly an earnest tango with grief, and partly an act of gossip.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Adams’ works celebrated the color and movement through vibrant geometric styles; Shrigley brought forth wit and humor through banana motifs and Stewart leaned into a trippy take on optimism through Pop-Surrealist florals.—
Emily Mercer,
Footwear News,
4 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
There is a real seriousness to the score — the scheming bad-guy music has the artfulness of Prokofiev, and even the sneaking-around cues have musical integrity and structure.—
Tim Greiving,
Vulture,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Maximalists can lean into bold, dramatic hues, while those who prefer subtlety can opt for earthy neutrals that blend seamlessly with their kitchen decor.—
Elizabeth Fogarty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
8 Sep. 2025
-
With uncanny accuracy, latent space manipulation records vocal subtleties and micro-expressions.—
Rohan Pinto,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 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 10 Sep. 2025.
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