CLEVER Synonyms: 343 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'clever' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of clever are adroit , cunning , and ingenious . While all these words mean "having or showing practical wit or skill in contriving," clever stresses physical or mental quickness, deftness, or great aptitude. // a person clever with horses

Q: When might 'adroit' be a better fit than 'clever'?

The words adroit and clever can be used in similar contexts, but adroit often implies a skillful use of expedients to achieve one's purpose in spite of difficulties. // an adroit negotiator

Q: Where would 'cunning' be a reasonable alternative to 'clever'?

The meanings of cunning and clever largely overlap; however, cunning implies great skill in constructing or creating. // a filmmaker cunning in his use of special effects

Q: When is it sensible to use 'ingenious' instead of 'clever'?

While the synonyms ingenious and clever are close in meaning, ingenious suggests the power of inventing or discovering a new way of accomplishing something. // an ingenious software engineer

clever

adjective

ˈkle-vər

Definition of clever

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

as in intelligent

having or showing quickness of mind a clever student figured out a trick to do the assignment faster

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in cunning

skillful with the hands the Shakers were clever artisans who created many ingenious and highly useful devices

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective clever differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of clever are adroit, cunning, and ingenious. While all these words mean "having or showing practical wit or skill in contriving," clever stresses physical or mental quickness, deftness, or great aptitude.

a person clever with horses

When might adroit be a better fit than clever?

The words adroit and clever can be used in similar contexts, but adroit often implies a skillful use of expedients to achieve one's purpose in spite of difficulties.

an adroit negotiator

Where would cunning be a reasonable alternative to clever?

The meanings of cunning and clever largely overlap; however, cunning implies great skill in constructing or creating.

a filmmaker cunning in his use of special effects

When is it sensible to use ingenious instead of clever?

While the synonyms ingenious and clever are close in meaning, ingenious suggests the power of inventing or discovering a new way of accomplishing something.

an ingenious software engineer

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 clever Everyone else was very academic and very clever in my family. — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 10 Sep. 2026 Jaxon Smith-Njigba finished the night with eight catches for 122 yards, including the game-changing 45-yard catch-and-run touchdown on a clever fourth-and-1 call by the Seahawks to pass instead of run. — Scott Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 10 Sep. 2026 In 1976, the mathematicians Kenneth Appel and Wolfgang Haken figured out a clever way to lower the number of possibilities first to 1,936 configurations, and then to 1,482. — Gregory Barber, Quanta Magazine, 10 Sep. 2026 Perhaps the cleverest mechanism is the weight-adaptive recline. — New Atlas, 8 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for clever

Recent Examples of Synonyms for clever

Adjective

But mindless problem-solving with an AI bandage will not create truly distinctive, or even truly innovative, organizations.

— Robbie Morrison, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2026
Both were in their thirties, and saw themselves as innovative leaders cutting through hidebound bureaucracies.

— Dexter Filkins, New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of innovative

Adjective

Silicon Labs said the new laboratory expands its ability to develop secure and intelligent wireless technologies as demand for connected devices grows.

— Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 5 Sep. 2026
Just over four months later, Google introduced Universal Cart, an intelligent shopping cart that allows consumers to add products from different retailers and purchase them through a single checkout.

— Paulina Likos, CNBC, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of intelligent

Adjective

But the heart of this story is the toxic years-long romance between Marjorie and her co-conspirator Bill Rothstein (David Harbour), an equally cunning player who was blinded by love.

— Glenn Garner, Deadline, 14 Sep. 2026
Supporters of the administration view this back and forth as a cunning ploy to buy time for the United States to position itself more advantageously for a confrontation.

— Leonard A. Schuette, Foreign Affairs, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of cunning

Adjective

Yes, those were the simpler days of television — when fast cars, alternating love interests, and witty barbs were more than enough to keep us entertained.

— Skyler Trepel, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Sep. 2026
Politically savvy, wickedly and playfully witty, and in close touch with humanity’s many facets, Roger Simon was among the most admired newspaper columnists of his generation at a time when that world was rich in that species of wordsmiths.

— Rick Kogan, Chicago Tribune, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of witty

Adjective

Can’t wait to gaze at the A-listers’ head-turning dresses, inventive accessory equations, and soaring footwear choices?

— Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 14 Sep. 2026
An inventive offense loaded with playmakers, paired with an undertalented turnstile defense.

— Andy Behrens, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of inventive

Adjective

The lineup is packed with powerful dramas, eye-opening documentaries, and imaginative animation and shorts that highlight diverse stories of culture, sense of place, and resilience.

— Ashlyn Ware, Midwest Living, 15 Sep. 2026
Their first half against Everton was largely good, with their use of the ball imaginative and — importantly — quick.

— Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of imaginative

Adjective

That trio combined to force Carl Rushworth into two smart saves in the first half, either side of Haaland’s goal.

— Stuart James, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
The water-resistant exterior is suited for stadiums, gyms, and concerts and the smart design folds flat with a built-in carrying strap for easy transportation.

— ABC News, ABC News, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of smart

Adjective

The annual cost for a private room in a skilled nursing facility in North Carolina was $129,575 a year or $10,798 a month, according to Genworth Cost of Care survey data.

— Anna Roman, Charlotte Observer, 14 Sep. 2026
Data center construction is increasing competition for skilled workers in the region, according to survey results from the Associated General Contractors of America.

— AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of skilled

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clerkships

clever

cleverish

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“Clever.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clever. Accessed 18 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of clever

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