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
So does Rivers, one of the canniest readers of the field.
—
Sally Jenkins, The Atlantic, 18 Dec. 2025
Harrison’s canny business acumen is also reaping rewards.
—Thomas Smith, Billboard, 15 Dec. 2025
Most of the time, landing a canny distributor with pockets like NatGeo (even though their promo budgets have been cut back) is a plus.
—Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 3 Dec. 2025
But the catchphrase in Earthquake’s Joke Telling Business is really canny.
—Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 3 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for canny
Sally Jenkins, The Atlantic, 18 Dec. 2025
Harrison’s canny business acumen is also reaping rewards.
—Thomas Smith, Billboard, 15 Dec. 2025
Most of the time, landing a canny distributor with pockets like NatGeo (even though their promo budgets have been cut back) is a plus.
—Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 3 Dec. 2025
But the catchphrase in Earthquake’s Joke Telling Business is really canny.
—Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 3 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for canny
Recent Examples of Synonyms for canny
Adjective
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The gold standard of smart watches, the Apple Watch can do just about everything your iPhone can, all from your wrist.—
John Monaco,
InStyle,
7 Feb. 2026
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At the end of the day, Amodei said, people still enjoy interacting with other humans, with very smart and capable AI complementing them.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
7 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The first steps toward a culture course correction are to create an opportunity in which everybody feels comfortable communicating with each other.—
Evan Grant,
Dallas Morning News,
10 Feb. 2026
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Vivaia is known for its comfortable, sustainable footwear, with mesh-style uppers and fun designs and colors.—
Olivia Dubyak,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Since Kenny Dillingham’s arrival, the Sun Devils have been astute at utilizing the portal — their 2024 Big 12 championship team got several of its key contributors that way — and this year is no different.—
Sam Khan Jr,
New York Times,
3 Feb. 2026
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An astute writer, Aristidou avoids including a screaming match typical of stories like this.—
Carlos Aguilar,
Variety,
31 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Instead of blindly following your partner into a defensive crouch, lead them back to an open, relaxed posture that builds true connection.—
Matt Abrahams,
CNBC,
9 Feb. 2026
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The crisp side stripes add a chic, athletic edge—wear the full set with retro sneakers, or split it up with the pants styled with a cardigan and the top paired with relaxed denim.—
Rosie Marder,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Given that Newsom has long offered himself as a shrewd technocrat who knows how to get things done, the attack ads that other Democratic presidential candidates will gleefully start running in fall 2027 write themselves.—
U T Editorial Board,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Feb. 2026
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Khaled al-Ahmad, a shrewd political operator in Assad’s inner circle who had negotiated the deal with the Emiratis and had briefly believed that a real political transition was possible, finally concluded that Assad was incapable of changing course.—
Robert F. Worth,
The Atlantic,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Our team of savvy editors independently handpicks all recommendations.—
Ed Masley,
AZCentral.com,
8 Feb. 2026
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Disney and 20th Century’s bloody comedy-thriller, which follows a dorky, survival-savvy employee (Rachel McAdams) and her douchey younger boss (Dylan O’Brien) who become stranded together on a remote island, should add $9 million to $10 million by Sunday for a total domestic gross of $34 million.—
Jack Dunn,
Variety,
7 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Canny.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/canny. Accessed 11 Feb. 2026.
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