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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in cunning
skillful with the hands
the Shakers were clever artisans who created many ingenious and highly useful devices
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of clever
Before settling in for a long chat with one of the most famous and beloved people on the planet, Colbert engaged in some clever misdirection.
—
Judy Berman, Time, 22 May 2026
Finding clever new ways to tell a familiar story of crooked cops and small-town corruption, the movie calls to mind both the deadpan thrillers of the Coen brothers and the downbeat ’70s crime flicks of French helmer Alain Corneau.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 22 May 2026
Structural alpha is not about finding a clever opinion on the same seven stocks that everyone already owns.
—Jim Osman, Forbes.com, 21 May 2026
Looking for a clever waterless solution to maintain scalp cleanliness between washes?
—Claire West, PEOPLE, 21 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for clever
Judy Berman, Time, 22 May 2026
Finding clever new ways to tell a familiar story of crooked cops and small-town corruption, the movie calls to mind both the deadpan thrillers of the Coen brothers and the downbeat ’70s crime flicks of French helmer Alain Corneau.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 22 May 2026
Structural alpha is not about finding a clever opinion on the same seven stocks that everyone already owns.
—Jim Osman, Forbes.com, 21 May 2026
Looking for a clever waterless solution to maintain scalp cleanliness between washes?
—Claire West, PEOPLE, 21 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for clever
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clever
Adjective
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Sign up for our weekly, original newsletter that goes beyond the annual Disruptor 50 list, offering a closer look at list-making companies and their innovative founders.—
Krysta Escobar,
CNBC,
19 May 2026
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Goldschmied exits Daily Blue to launch Goldie, another woman’s jeans brands characterized by innovative production techniques like the use of pigments and garment dyeing.—
Maria Cristina Pavarini,
Footwear News,
18 May 2026
Adjective
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According to the company, the system has become a key part of its broader push to expand intelligent driving capabilities across its vehicle lineup, CarNewsChina reported.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
24 May 2026
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Maybe intelligent aliens do not want to communicate with us, and conceal their existence.—
Dani Di Placido,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2026
Adjective
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Dano’s static line delivery gets used for a chilling but laconic effect as his character’s cunning political negotiations lead to deadly outcomes.—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
13 May 2026
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There’s arguably no one better placed to collaborate with VFX artists on a motion-capture performance than Serkis, who’s delivered innocence, cunning, cruelty, longing, and kindness in roles that run from Golum to Caesar to King Kong himself.—
Sarah Shachat,
IndieWire,
4 May 2026
Adjective
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Zabaglio’s brother, Jamie, visited from Washington and performed a witty free-form comedy act only a few slots after his sibling.—
Christopher Buchanan,
Los Angeles Times,
18 May 2026
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There are moments of great, witty tenderness here.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
15 May 2026
Adjective
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Interest is surging in the tiny, bulbous legumes sometimes met with a shrug, as more Americans increasingly seek out cheap, healthy and inventive food.—
Joe Hernandez,
NPR,
18 May 2026
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Cocktails are a mix of classic and inventive, with a carrot-ginger-turmeric juice laced with tequila gracing the Ninety Acres menu for fall and a martini paired with caviar in the Great Room.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
16 May 2026
Adjective
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While the work influenced him, he was especially struck by the painting’s imaginative details and seemingly futuristic vision.—
Anthony DeMarco,
Forbes.com,
17 May 2026
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Using large-format Polaroid film and primarily shooting in his Paris studio, Roversi’s dream-like and imaginative compositions have been able to transcend time.—
Martino Carrera,
Footwear News,
15 May 2026
Adjective
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Ladies who lunch at The George cross paths with ladies who launch (startups, that is), men in smart suits are occasionally gala-bound, and creatives on laptops greet locals stopping in for a drink or afternoon tea under the ornate ceilings.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 May 2026
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Or watch the outdoors from the comfort of your couch with this smart bird feeder that includes a camera and is generously discounted to $20 this weekend.—
Brittany VanDerBill,
Better Homes & Gardens,
23 May 2026
Adjective
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The strongest properties employ skilled, adaptive practitioners who adjust to the guest in front of them rather than march through a rigid itinerary — wellness, the experts argue, should feel intuitive rather than prescriptive.—
Hanna Wickes,
Miami Herald,
22 May 2026
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Jobs requiring technically skilled professionals also tend to offer greater stability than many other roles due to high demand for specialized expertise, according to research from LiveCareer.—
Sho Dewan,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Clever.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clever. Accessed 26 May. 2026.
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