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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of canny
But the catchphrase in Earthquake’s Joke Telling Business is really canny.
—
Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 3 Dec. 2025
Their replacements, Hakeem Jeffries and John Thune, are capable enough but lack Pelosi and McConnell’s canny ruthlessness.
—Molly Ball, Time, 6 Nov. 2025
And that was never more relevant than in a game that lasted nearly seven hours, with almost as much intrigue created by Ruehle’s canny choices as in whether anyone would ever score another run before daylight.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 29 Oct. 2025
The Administration has also been extremely canny in going after institutions rather than individuals.
—Fabio Bertoni, New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for canny
Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 3 Dec. 2025
Their replacements, Hakeem Jeffries and John Thune, are capable enough but lack Pelosi and McConnell’s canny ruthlessness.
—Molly Ball, Time, 6 Nov. 2025
And that was never more relevant than in a game that lasted nearly seven hours, with almost as much intrigue created by Ruehle’s canny choices as in whether anyone would ever score another run before daylight.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 29 Oct. 2025
The Administration has also been extremely canny in going after institutions rather than individuals.
—Fabio Bertoni, New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for canny
Recent Examples of Synonyms for canny
Adjective
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An elastic waistband stays comfortable for hours, making this a smart pick for long flights or full travel days.—
Rosie Marder,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Jan. 2026
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There are smart-looking couples in the mix, too, snagging a romantic getaway in the heart of Austin—near live music, bars, and restaurants and just 10 miles from the airport.—
Kathryn Streeter,
Condé Nast Traveler,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The comfortable four-way stretch fabric makes these feel like your favorite pair of yoga pants, while looking elegant and dressed to the nines.—
Caroline Hughes,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Jan. 2026
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Baggy Jean Looking for jeans that feel comfortable and look put-together?—
Nicol Natale,
PEOPLE,
7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The champion of deregulation here embraced radical regulation, in a way that served his interests as a homeowner but was also politically astute.—
Ian Parker,
New Yorker,
22 Dec. 2025
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And perhaps Disney’s deal with OpenAI will prove prescient and astute.—
Alexei Oreskovic,
Fortune,
12 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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Other reviewers appreciate the sweater’s relaxed silhouette that drapes nicely without looking baggy.—
Isabel Garcia,
PEOPLE,
9 Jan. 2026
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Cate Blanchett is the queen of a relaxed, textured bob.—
Catharine Malzahn,
InStyle,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Both deserve credit for some shrewd additions, like the trades for Jowon Briggs, Harrison Phillips and Jarvis Brownlee.—
Zack Rosenblatt,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
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Thus, unnecessary expansion is one of the shrewdest ways of funding necessary repair.—
Jackson Arn,
Harpers Magazine,
30 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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Jackson, who signed on to represent Nick a day after his arrest, is one of the most prominent lawyers in the country — a savvy criminal defense attorney who previously represented Harvey Weinstein, Kevin Spacey and Karen Read.—
Winston Cho,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Jan. 2026
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Amazon is packed with smart, savvy, and budget-friendly storage and organization finds that can effortlessly transform every room of your home without breaking the bank.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
6 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Canny.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/canny. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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