1
as in innovative
showing a noteworthy use of the imagination and creativity especially in inventing
an inventor who was constantly coming up with clever devices for doing everyday chores
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in intelligent
having or showing quickness of mind
a clever student figured out a trick to do the assignment faster
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in cunning
skillful with the hands
the Shakers were clever artisans who created many ingenious and highly useful devices
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4
as in witty
given to or marked by mature intelligent humor
a clever joke that requires a little bit of thought on the part of the listener
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5
as in inventive
having the skill and imagination to create new things
I wonder what clever person thought of the digital camera
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of clever
But, at the same time, a number of startups have found clever ways to create much smaller models that mimic many of the capabilities of the giant models.
—
Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 3 Sep. 2025
These conflicts are not solved by one clever idea or a single breakthrough.
—Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 3 Sep. 2025
Veronique, a clever favorite, learns her lover is the king, becomes pregnant and is quietly married off, never to return.
—Ashlee Conour, Chicago Tribune, 2 Sep. 2025
Maybe the next idea will be much better than the Axis—a nuclear weapon produced with unprecedented stealth, say, or something more clever than my own small mind can contemplate.
—Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 2 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clever
Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 3 Sep. 2025
These conflicts are not solved by one clever idea or a single breakthrough.
—Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 3 Sep. 2025
Veronique, a clever favorite, learns her lover is the king, becomes pregnant and is quietly married off, never to return.
—Ashlee Conour, Chicago Tribune, 2 Sep. 2025
Maybe the next idea will be much better than the Axis—a nuclear weapon produced with unprecedented stealth, say, or something more clever than my own small mind can contemplate.
—Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 2 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clever
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clever
Adjective
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Can any of those innovative ideas help solve Miami-Dade’s growing waste crisis?—
Ashley Miznazi,
Miami Herald,
5 Sep. 2025
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The rich use their muscle; the poorer must be more innovative to succeed.—
Chris Weatherspoon,
New York Times,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Together, these agents represent an intelligent, adaptive defense system comparable to the collaboration of a human security operations center, but with the speed and scale of machines.—
Perry Carpenter,
Forbes.com,
2 Sep. 2025
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And his evocation of the specific political environment of pre-war Algeria is an intelligent contemporary expansion on the novel.—
Jessica Kiang,
Variety,
2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Bening will costar on the series as Beulah Jackson, who's described as the powerful, cunning, and charming head of a major ranch in Texas.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Sep. 2025
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Joan Silber is a contemporary genius at creating artful stories of a multitude of characters who ricochet in cunning ways, crossing generations and continents.—
Jane Ciabattari
September 2,
Literary Hub,
2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Also included are a selection of wise and witty quotes by Monroe herself, as well as words from scholars and admirers.—
Angela Andaloro,
PEOPLE,
4 Sep. 2025
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Rolling Ray, a beloved social media trailblazer known for his witty one-liners and viral videos, has died, according to a social media post by Zeus Network.—
Taylor Ardrey,
USA Today,
4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Distillation is particularly inventive at Loch Lomond.—
Joseph V Micallef,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
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Its signature restaurant, FYSH at EDITION, wins the hearts and palates of guests with inventive, scale-to-tail seafood (like vanilla gelato with tuna eyes) amid velvet banquets and tropical plants.—
AFAR Media,
AFAR Media,
2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Miral is responsible for both of these areas whereas Disney will supply the designers, known as Imagineers for their imaginative use of engineering.—
Caroline Reid,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
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As long as readers continue to crave that liminal space between dreams and reality, Labyrinth and its imaginative literary descendants will endure.—
Logan Karlie
September 2,
Literary Hub,
2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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And that's not even counting any of the wholly original new shows this fall that are smart, gripping and exciting.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
4 Sep. 2025
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Elena Linari is a smart defensive signing, too.—
Megan Feringa,
New York Times,
4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The clip has sparked a wave of humorous and relatable comments from viewers who are no strangers to the bizarre and hilarious antics in multi-pet households.—
Maria Morava,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Aug. 2025
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According to birth order, the youngest child is charming and humorous.—
Tabitha Parent,
People.com,
28 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Clever.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clever. Accessed 8 Sep. 2025.
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