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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

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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
  • Nearly every dish at Uma Roma, an innovative new restaurant, is dedicated to a single ingredient.
    Seth Sherwood, New York Times, 15 May 2025
  • For entrepreneurial parents and innovative educators, this may be a frontier worth exploring.
    Dan Fitzpatrick, Forbes.com, 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
  • McLaren’s Piastri began in pole position and initially held off Verstappen before the Dutchman displayed all the brilliance, cunning and bravery that has propelled him to four world championships, holding off the brakes as long as possible and sliding around the outside on the first turn.
    Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 18 May 2025
  • Unfortunately, Porsha isn’t cunning enough for this to work.
    Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 12 May 2025
Adjective
  • This time around, Lilo and Nani’s Ohana is expanded to her witty and wise neighbor Tūtū (Amy Hill), an original character, and Nani’s easygoing crush David (Kaipo Dudoit), who is retconned here as Tūtū’s grandson.
    Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 23 May 2025
  • Life, death, crime, kitsch, nostalgia, immigrant aspirations and witty design — all of these elements converge in the world of motels, which didn’t exist before 1925.
    Christopher Reynolds, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2025
Adjective
  • Brazilian footwear brand Melissa and Parisian label Maldito are dipping their toes into the western footwear category with a new collaboration offering an inventive take on the cowboy boot.
    Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 20 May 2025
  • By day, guests can visit for its inventive afternoon tea.
    Angelina Villa-Clarke, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025
Adjective
  • 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
  • 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
Adjective
  • Roach chose the more legal one, but not necessarily the smartest.
    Bill Dwyre, Los Angeles Times, 16 May 2025
  • Some of it is also building on the brand that somebody really smart will take advantage of whatever opportunity is presented to them.
    Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 16 May 2025
Adjective
  • It is meant to be instructional, philosophical, informative, uplifting, and sometimes humorous.
    Bob Carlson, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025
  • Galloway provides a perspective that’s at turns humorous and moving, giving new grads solid advice while entertaining them as well.
    BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 22 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Clever.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clever. Accessed 29 May. 2025.

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