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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of canny
But then, after the heist, Reichardt finds canny ways to insert a sense of the wider world, one Mooney ignores at his peril and, eventually, catches up to him.
—
Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 22 Oct. 2025
Using children as protagonists was a particularly canny way to analyze social issues from the perspective of an innocent.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 14 Oct. 2025
Whether through canny critique or open wist, shows about making out-of-fashion things can offer us space to predict, resist, and elegize our way through a dark and muddy cultural moment.
—Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 23 Sep. 2025
Veltman is canny and dependable.
—Andy Naylor, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for canny
Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 22 Oct. 2025
Using children as protagonists was a particularly canny way to analyze social issues from the perspective of an innocent.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 14 Oct. 2025
Whether through canny critique or open wist, shows about making out-of-fashion things can offer us space to predict, resist, and elegize our way through a dark and muddy cultural moment.
—Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 23 Sep. 2025
Veltman is canny and dependable.
—Andy Naylor, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for canny
Recent Examples of Synonyms for canny
Adjective
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Food systems now account for about a third of global greenhouse gas emissions, but scientists say regenerative agriculture and climate-smart farming can help flip that into a future where farms also help grow climate solutions.—
Jeff Young,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
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Gerard Damiano was a smart guy, a hairdresser from the Bronx who directed Deep Throat and the follow-up, Devil in Miss Jones, which were killing it at the box office, high up on Variety’s Top 50 list of the highestgrossing films.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Are the Lions comfortable with the likes of Kayode Awosika, Trystan Colon and perhaps rookie guard Miles Frazier?—
Colton Pouncy,
New York Times,
3 Nov. 2025
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A lot of these players came from different parts of the country, and their families are comfortable leaving them with us.—
Joe Davidson,
Sacbee.com,
2 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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But astute viewers will see some other familiar, and perhaps surprising, rock ‘n’ roll faces in the production.—
Gary Graff,
Billboard,
25 Oct. 2025
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Senne Lammens continuing his composed start to his United career could at least counteract those types of chances for Brighton, while Amorim’s defenders will need to be astute to the movement of Hurzeler’s front-line.—
Laurie Whitwell,
New York Times,
23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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This picturesque lakeside destination is increasingly attracting affluent foreign buyers, drawn by the stunning natural beauty and newly relaxed Golden Visa program.—
Demetrius Simms,
Robb Report,
5 Nov. 2025
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The city’s relaxed building regulations and abundance of oceanfront lots have fueled a boom in construction, and that vertical growth has led João Pessoa to host some of Brazil’s most impressive rooftop bars and pools.—
Aaron Randolph,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Well, in a shrewd bit of scheduling, just as its fifth series concludes, Apple TV is premiering yet another Mick Herron adaptation centered around the bumbling inner workings of British government, starring an Oscar-winning national treasure to boot.—
Jon O'Brien,
IndieWire,
30 Oct. 2025
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The soap opera veteran, who has spent more than five decades playing farm girl–turned–shrewd businesswoman Maggie Horton, recently revealed her cancer battle during a conversation with TV Insider.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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But Mamdani's vision of a more affordable city, articulated through savvy social media videos and upbeat in-person interactions, has clearly resonated with young and first-time voters (even outside of New York).—
Rachel Treisman,
NPR,
5 Nov. 2025
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Advertisement Mamdani’s political success is largely credited to a media-savvy campaign that centered affordability in one of the world’s most expensive cities, with Mamdani vowing to levy New York’s ultra-rich to pay for childcare, transportation, and even grocery stores.—
Philip Elliott,
Time,
5 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Canny.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/canny. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
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