1
2
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

3
4
5

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 There are no toppings, no ripples, no clever shards—just scoops, served plain. Clarissa Wei, AFAR Media, 13 May 2025 There was the feisty feline who began ringing one home owner's doorbell well after 9 P.M. Then there was the clever cat who came up with a unique way of being let back inside using their owner's security camera. Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 May 2025 The Yamazaki Home line at Wayfair has so many clever organization pieces. Rachel Trujillo, People.com, 12 May 2025 Instant Spa Shower Gift Box: $55 Turn mom’s shower into a spa-like experience with this clever gift set from UncommonGood. Nora Colomer May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 3 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for clever
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clever
Adjective
  • For entrepreneurial parents and innovative educators, this may be a frontier worth exploring.
    Dan Fitzpatrick, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025
  • Nearly every dish at Uma Roma, an innovative new restaurant, is dedicated to a single ingredient.
    Seth Sherwood, New York Times, 15 May 2025
Adjective
  • This type of intelligent power management would mark a departure from Apple's existing Low Power Mode, which applies system-wide restrictions.
    Tahar Rajab, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 May 2025
  • These intelligent adaptations help homeowners effectively reduce their monthly energy expenses.
    Jon Stojan, USA Today, 13 May 2025
Adjective
  • In real life, most would-be Proud Boys don’t have cunning, progressive housemates who will throw away their gun parts.
    Amy Weiss-Meyer, The Atlantic, 8 May 2025
  • Premiering in January 2023, The Traitors has gone on to widespread acclaim, even winning Emmys for Outstanding Reality Competition Program and Outstanding Host for a Reality or Reality Competition Program (Alan Cumming on cunning form).
    Griff Griffin, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 May 2025
Adjective
  • Around this time, the outfit’s quirky, lightly rumbustious songs began to resonate across British press and radio; accessible while containing a marked dose of strangeness, Fontaine’s songwriting – at once emotionally raw and witty – boasted a strong multi-generational appeal.
    Sophie Williams, Billboard, 8 May 2025
  • Comments Margaret Qualley and Chris Evans, the stars of the upcoming movie Honey Don't!, have plenty of witty banter and action in the trailer released Wednesday.
    Raechal Shewfelt, EW.com, 7 May 2025
Adjective
  • But then her documentary, Lee Soo Man, The King of K-Pop is not just about the inventive pop music that quickly gained a worldwide following.
    Joan MacDonald, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025
  • In addition to being bigger than Tesla, BYD is arguably more inventive, with vehicles that can slide sideways into parking spots and float during emergencies, and chargers that can replenish up to 250 miles of range in a mere five minutes—several times faster than Tesla superchargers.
    L. RAFAEL REIF, Foreign Affairs, 6 May 2025
Adjective
  • This imaginative backstory, brought to life with the help of the French film studio Gaumont, adds a magical dimension that makes Mirokaï feel more like a companion than a machine.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 14 May 2025
  • Another highlight of the restaurant is its imaginative cocktail menu, featuring signature sips like the Electric Sly, Red Line Remedy and a zesty lemon and golden spritz infused with tej honey wine.
    Taryn White, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025
Adjective
  • So far, there’s no word on price or availability for the earbuds or smart ring.
    Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 16 May 2025
  • Roach chose the more legal one, but not necessarily the smartest.
    Bill Dwyre, Los Angeles Times, 16 May 2025
Adjective
  • Some of immediate response was humorous and positive, signaling that he should be given a chance, while others critical, a sign of the times where memes can quickly take on a life of their own.
    Peter Suciu, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025
  • The state prefers sans-serif fonts like Times New Roman or Arial, and signage must not give a humorous impression.
    Tribune Content Agency, Mercury News, 6 May 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Clever.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clever. Accessed 21 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on clever

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!