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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His work rate, versatility and football intelligence — regardless of who plays in front of or behind him — are invaluable as the squad gradually understands Amorim’s tactical demands.—
Anantaajith Raghuraman,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2025 -
For example, digital intelligence can infer customer perceptions through non-survey channels such as online interactions.—
Forrester,
Forbes.com,
30 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
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.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
18 Mar. 2025
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Noted for his tenacity and cunning, Khamenei is also a man of conviction, and his hatred for the United States is deeply felt.—
Foreign Affairs,
Foreign Affairs,
25 Feb. 2025
Noun
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With a breezy wit displayed over his thirty-plus-year career (including his breakout commentary during the 2024 Olympics which cemented his global influence), the artist observed the rare confluence of holidays with a simple image of himself as the Easter Bunny on X, formerly Twitter.—
Jeanie Pyun,
HollywoodReporter,
20 Apr. 2025
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Maher, who has spent decades fine-tuning his brand of biting, socially charged humor to make sense of complex, often uncomfortable issues, brings a sharp wit that’s more thoughtful and layered than he’s often given credit for.—
Margie Warrell,
Forbes.com,
17 Apr. 2025
Noun
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But subtlety is not what cold brew is best at accentuating.—
Matthew Korfhage,
Wired News,
30 Apr. 2025
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Virtual representation of that entity or process – A virtual model that doesn’t just mimic the original but evolves with it, capturing subtleties and complexities.—
Ben Chused,
Forbes.com,
30 Apr. 2025
Noun
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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 7 May. 2025.
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