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
Some could argue that the most introverted are often the most clever.
—
Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 25 Sep. 2025
Me, a beautiful and clever five-time Emmy-winning writer with a few Wednesday nights free, and The Golden Bachelor, a heartwarming and adorable exploration of women’s second acts with a male doofus at the center who has already embarrassed himself.
—Ali Barthwell, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2025
Clubs with clever accountants getting around those rules by selling stuff to themselves.
—Nick Miller, New York Times, 24 Sep. 2025
Now, designers like Hám Interiors are making clever use of compact spaces by fitting bedrooms with alcoves that are both practical and aesthetically pleasing.
—Chloe Frost-Smith, Vogue, 24 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clever
Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 25 Sep. 2025
Me, a beautiful and clever five-time Emmy-winning writer with a few Wednesday nights free, and The Golden Bachelor, a heartwarming and adorable exploration of women’s second acts with a male doofus at the center who has already embarrassed himself.
—Ali Barthwell, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2025
Clubs with clever accountants getting around those rules by selling stuff to themselves.
—Nick Miller, New York Times, 24 Sep. 2025
Now, designers like Hám Interiors are making clever use of compact spaces by fitting bedrooms with alcoves that are both practical and aesthetically pleasing.
—Chloe Frost-Smith, Vogue, 24 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clever
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clever
Adjective
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The opportunities for improvements in energy storage exemplify what new, innovative technology can do to deliver practical benefits to everyone.—
Lauren Giella,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Sep. 2025
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Ben Leonberg's innovative thriller unfurls a supernatural narrative from a canine point of view, and Indy the dog stars as the loyal best friend who becomes concerned about his owner when dark forces seem to be taking hold of him in their new rural home.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
25 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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This intelligent two-way interaction changed the web forever.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
22 Sep. 2025
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The plot follows the story of Ainara, an intelligent 17-year-old who is trying to decide what to study at university.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
21 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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However, her inner voice reveals a sardonic sense of humor, cunning intellect, and keen eye for details most people would miss… because Emily has a big secret.—
Emlyn Travis,
Entertainment Weekly,
17 Sep. 2025
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However, her inner voice reveals a sardonic sense of humor, cunning intellect, and keen eye for details most people would miss…because Emily has a big secret.—
Rebecca Angel Baer,
Southern Living,
17 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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His colleagues and friends describe the pediatric cardiologist as witty and vibrant, known for his distinctive laugh and his ability to make everyone feel like a close friend.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
26 Sep. 2025
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More stories surely lurk within these labyrinthine hallways, and there could be no wittier, more charismatic guide than del Toro, who strolls and even dances through the movie with Zen grace.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
26 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Then, in February, the 10-day Carnival fills the streets with music, parades, and inventive costumes featuring giant handmade masks that represent fearsome creatures, which scare away winter spirits, or joyful beings celebrating their retreat, dating back to ancient pagan customs.—
AFAR Media,
AFAR Media,
24 Sep. 2025
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No one gets hour-long lines without damn good BBQ, no matter how inventive the flavors.—
Farhan Mustafa,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
23 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Tom, by contrast, argues for a more imaginative reconstruction of what has been lost, the kind of history that fills in silences.—
Katy Waldman,
New Yorker,
22 Sep. 2025
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Creative and imaginative, Wesley is a natural builder who loves working with Legos, crafting intricate origami art, and even inventing his own games.—
MARE Staff,
Boston Herald,
21 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Winged munition autonomously detects moving targets Raytheon also highlighted that the StormBreaker smart weapon gives operators an upper hand in combat by hitting moving targets in some of the worst weather conditions.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
25 Sep. 2025
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In addition, businesses need to be smart about setting goals for AI.—
Bob Violino,
CNBC,
24 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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This year’s Best Picture winner Anora could be classified as a romantic dramedy of sorts, and other recent noms in the category, like American Fiction, Barbie and winner Everything Everywhere all at Once, certainly have humorous throughlines.—
Natalie Oganesyan,
Deadline,
21 Sep. 2025
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Chan, a Poway resident, writes about family and community life and shares humorous views of topics of the day.—
Wayne Chan,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Clever.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clever. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.
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