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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of canny
One famous example of a canny international tax strategy was Apple’s domicile in Ireland, along with so many other multinationals keeping their international profits offshore in affiliates in order to avoid paying U.S. tax, which at the time applied to all worldwide income upon repatriation.
—
Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 16 Aug. 2025
At first, the book’s canny political observations come up against Evie’s naïveté.
—Lora Kelley, New Yorker, 7 Aug. 2025
Offshore asset practices of the uber-rich The uber-rich aren't like the rest of us in so many ways, including their canny exploitation of highly secretive offshore financial systems to conceal their assets and/or identities.
—ArsTechnica, 1 Aug. 2025
While under the pon farr's influence, Spock sneakily redirected the Enterprise to his homeworld, and — following a spot of canny manipulation from his betrothed, T'Pring — ended up scrapping with his captain in a fight to the death.
—Richard Edwards, Space.com, 31 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for canny
Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 16 Aug. 2025
At first, the book’s canny political observations come up against Evie’s naïveté.
—Lora Kelley, New Yorker, 7 Aug. 2025
Offshore asset practices of the uber-rich The uber-rich aren't like the rest of us in so many ways, including their canny exploitation of highly secretive offshore financial systems to conceal their assets and/or identities.
—ArsTechnica, 1 Aug. 2025
While under the pon farr's influence, Spock sneakily redirected the Enterprise to his homeworld, and — following a spot of canny manipulation from his betrothed, T'Pring — ended up scrapping with his captain in a fight to the death.
—Richard Edwards, Space.com, 31 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for canny
Recent Examples of Synonyms for canny
Adjective
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Now, in a bid to address the issue, the researchers created a smart measurement and analysis system that can monitor the condition of the asphalt base layer nondestructively over a large area.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
1 Oct. 2025
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As with other home improvement supplies, retaining current paint colors is smart in case walls need touchups or a fresh coat.—
Mary Cornetta,
Better Homes & Gardens,
1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Smile Dentist Play Set This new Melissa & Doug toy helps kids get comfortable with trips to the dentist through pretend play at home.—
Anja Webb,
Parents,
7 Oct. 2025
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Thiaw, aged 24 and capped three times by Germany, is comfortable on the ball, can play in a high line and is good at switching play.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Driving down the price after Ingram cleared waivers last week, while acquiring a goaltender with excellent potential and a reasonable track record, is about as astute a move as there is.—
Daniel Nugent-Bowman,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
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The odd, sometimes astute connections and ideas her seemingly new brain forms are not entirely unpleasant.—
Bekah Waalkes,
The Atlantic,
25 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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In later snaps, the Iron Man actress modeled several more outfits — including a classic black halter-neck dress, a relaxed fit gray T-shirt dress with short sleeves paired with black slip-on sandals, and two black-and-white looks.—
Angel Saunders,
PEOPLE,
1 Oct. 2025
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Even when Kerr and Staples get in an argument that frighteningly escalates, both Blunt and Johnson maintain their relaxed equilibrium.—
Richard Lawson,
Rolling Stone,
1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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All three signings have already proven shrewd and worthwhile, with United still undefeated in the WSL and just two points off leaders Chelsea.—
Megan Feringa,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
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Little is known about Agnes, but she's portrayed as a sharp and shrewd matriarch by Dervla Kirwan in House of Guinness.—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
27 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Our team of savvy editors independently handpicks all recommendations.—
Cody Godwin,
USA Today,
7 Oct. 2025
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Under the influence of savvy Mercury, questions prompt us to dig deeper, conversations cut sharper and intuition is at an all-time high.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
7 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Canny.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/canny. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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