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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of canny
Sam was the canny Shubert, the vaguely artistic Shubert, the thought-to-be-maybe-gay Shubert.
—
Frank Rich, Vulture, 8 Apr. 2025
This potentially opens up the arrangement to challenge by activists such as Max Schrems, a canny Austrian privacy advocate, whose legal complaints led to the collapse of two previous arrangements.
—Henry Farrell, Foreign Affairs, 3 Apr. 2025
Now, through a combination of canny collaborations (Charli XCX, Arca), hip creative direction, and bulletproof singles, her forthcoming debut album (still untitled and speculative) has all the potential to cement Rae’s status among the pop prestige.
—Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 19 Mar. 2025
Sam was the canny Shubert, the vaguely artistic Shubert, the thought-to-be-maybe-gay Shubert.
—Frank Rich, Vulture, 8 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for canny
Frank Rich, Vulture, 8 Apr. 2025
This potentially opens up the arrangement to challenge by activists such as Max Schrems, a canny Austrian privacy advocate, whose legal complaints led to the collapse of two previous arrangements.
—Henry Farrell, Foreign Affairs, 3 Apr. 2025
Now, through a combination of canny collaborations (Charli XCX, Arca), hip creative direction, and bulletproof singles, her forthcoming debut album (still untitled and speculative) has all the potential to cement Rae’s status among the pop prestige.
—Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 19 Mar. 2025
Sam was the canny Shubert, the vaguely artistic Shubert, the thought-to-be-maybe-gay Shubert.
—Frank Rich, Vulture, 8 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for canny
Recent Examples of Synonyms for canny
Adjective
-
Roach chose the more legal one, but not necessarily the smartest.—
Bill Dwyre,
Los Angeles Times,
16 May 2025
-
Documenting lessons and celebrating smart risks strengthens the organization over time.—
Jason Richmond,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2025
Adjective
-
There’s a lot of writers who aren’t comfortable with that kind of rearranging.—
Brian Hiatt,
Rolling Stone,
11 May 2025
-
Harry is comfortable, albeit respectful, with this formidable figure in the MobLand universe.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
11 May 2025
Adjective
-
The directors’ astute perception of (mis)communication between the sexes stems from her experience growing up with her parents, who stayed together for societal and financial reasons.—
Blake Simons,
IndieWire,
17 May 2025
-
Only this time, a tactically astute coach is required.—
Henry Flynn,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2025
Adjective
-
May 16 Noon Concert: Piano students of Kumaran Arul perform in a relaxed midday setting.—
Jake Richardson,
Mercury News,
12 May 2025
-
This soft, versatile shade is popping up everywhere, from my Instagram feed to my go-to retailers, offering the relaxed vibe of denim without the weight.—
Rosie Marder,
Travel + Leisure,
12 May 2025
Adjective
-
Roseman had obtained the 10th pick via shrewd trades, then traded up one spot to get Carter.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 Apr. 2025
-
He was roasted by his party for negotiating with local Democrats to give them a seat on the township board in exchange for keeping the GOP majority, a move that looks shrewd today.—
Justin Kaufmann,
Axios,
9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
They have been elevated by some savvy architects, undercut by assorted chain operations and frequently left for dead by the side of the road.—
Christopher Reynolds,
Los Angeles Times,
15 May 2025
-
But the Bulls will have to be savvy in their selection process to repeat that feat this summer.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
13 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Canny.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/canny. Accessed 25 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share