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
In that light, Harbour’s choice to take on the role of Floyd seems like a canny public-relations coup.
—
Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 24 Apr. 2026
Yet in the three episodes HBO provided for review—episodes whose technical elements can be stunning and manipulation of genre conventions canny—Levinson does nothing to deepen his antihero’s search for meaning.
—Judy Berman, Time, 10 Apr. 2026
But that spontaneity is balanced out with canny studio manipulation by producer Scotty Hard, who juxtaposes grooves and riffs and knits songs together, finding through lines and punctuating disjunctions.
—Reed Jackson, SPIN, 30 Mar. 2026
The Cubs made some canny moves in the offseason, and just signed budding superstar Pete Crow-Armstrong to a long-term contract extension.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for canny
Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 24 Apr. 2026
Yet in the three episodes HBO provided for review—episodes whose technical elements can be stunning and manipulation of genre conventions canny—Levinson does nothing to deepen his antihero’s search for meaning.
—Judy Berman, Time, 10 Apr. 2026
But that spontaneity is balanced out with canny studio manipulation by producer Scotty Hard, who juxtaposes grooves and riffs and knits songs together, finding through lines and punctuating disjunctions.
—Reed Jackson, SPIN, 30 Mar. 2026
The Cubs made some canny moves in the offseason, and just signed budding superstar Pete Crow-Armstrong to a long-term contract extension.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for canny
Recent Examples of Synonyms for canny
Adjective
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There is no analogous player in this squad to Grimaldo; Marc Cucurella, the man who has displaced him in the Spain team, is positionally smart but a more effective off-ball runner than on-ball playmaker.—
Liam Twomey,
New York Times,
17 May 2026
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The clients who will be best positioned are the ones making smart decisions today — not the ones reacting to a tax bill six months from now.—
Greg Raiff,
Fortune,
16 May 2026
Adjective
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Want to know my secret for staying comfortable on long travel days?—
Caroline Hughes,
Travel + Leisure,
20 May 2026
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Roomier ships offer plenty of deck space, comfortable cabins, and stability on the sea.—
Jane Woolridge,
Condé Nast Traveler,
19 May 2026
Adjective
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That the series houses its mad science experiments and cartoonish fight scenes in familiar packaging goes a long way toward keeping it accessible, but the charming eccentricities and their astute implementation add up to a Spider-story worth investing in — bring on the strange.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
22 May 2026
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This astute portrait connects Jim Crow-era America and pre-World War II Europe, and is as fitting a portrait of the current sociopolitical moment.—
Time,
Time,
12 May 2026
Adjective
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According to the official Wine Bar at Emeril’s page, the Julia Street space gives guests access to the restaurant’s distinctive cellar in a more relaxed setting, with signature small plates, wines by the glass and classic New Orleans cocktails.—
Noel Burgess,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
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His ensemble included a Fear of God pinstripe suit, with a relaxed blazer and wide-legged trousers, matched with black patent leather shoes.—
Karla Rodriguez,
Footwear News,
18 May 2026
Adjective
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Greg, a billionaire and a large shareholder of BRK, has proven to be a shrewd operator of BRK’s energy business.—
Vitaliy Katsenelson,
Fortune,
14 May 2026
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After more than 50 years in the industry, however, Deborah is a shrewd businesswoman.—
Caroline Framke,
The Atlantic,
14 May 2026
Adjective
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But Saints, the savvy former NXT and North American champion, got his opportunity to slow down the match and take it to Hayes.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
16 May 2026
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Japanese newcomer Rimu Kuwaki makes his debut as a savvy robot child surrogate in auteur Hirokazu Koreeda‘s Sheep in the Box, premiering in Competition today at the Cannes Film Festival.—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
16 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Canny.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/canny. Accessed 23 May. 2026.
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