1
as in ability
mental skill or quickness
it takes real cleverness to find a way around the rules
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in skill
subtle or imaginative ability in inventing, devising, or executing something
the undeniable cleverness of the negotiator, who managed to get each side to believe that they had won
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in creativity
the skill and imagination to create new things
Cole Porter's overall cleverness with words, including his effortless ability to rhyme and pun
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of cleverness
But there’s a cleverness to how AdHoc’s writing team has managed to give the player a sense of control without completely nuking the story.
—
Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 30 Oct. 2025
Surely, his sexuality played a role in his undeniable cleverness.
—Michael Cuby, Them., 24 Oct. 2025
So the question is whether audiences can find any emotional hook amid all this cleverness.
—Kirk Honeycutt, HollywoodReporter, 20 Oct. 2025
That insight — that the key was scale, not cleverness — fundamentally reshaped OpenAI.
—Mackenzie Sigalos, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2025
Why Border Collies Excel This display of canine cleverness comes as no surprise to experts.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Sep. 2025
At times, Kavalier is played as a type of Willy Wonka figure, but without any of Wonka’s cleverness.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025
What connects them is the cleverness of the writing and the ability of their actors to sell even the silliest of jokes.
—Tanya Melendez, EW.com, 16 Aug. 2025
Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 30 Oct. 2025
Surely, his sexuality played a role in his undeniable cleverness.
—Michael Cuby, Them., 24 Oct. 2025
So the question is whether audiences can find any emotional hook amid all this cleverness.
—Kirk Honeycutt, HollywoodReporter, 20 Oct. 2025
That insight — that the key was scale, not cleverness — fundamentally reshaped OpenAI.
—Mackenzie Sigalos, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2025
Why Border Collies Excel This display of canine cleverness comes as no surprise to experts.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Sep. 2025
At times, Kavalier is played as a type of Willy Wonka figure, but without any of Wonka’s cleverness.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025
What connects them is the cleverness of the writing and the ability of their actors to sell even the silliest of jokes.
—Tanya Melendez, EW.com, 16 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cleverness
Noun
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His ability to attract top older notables is remarkable.—
Shawn Tully,
Fortune,
1 Nov. 2025
-
But her world is shaken once more when another person with the same ability appears… a man who police believe is responsible for causing the earthquake that destroyed their town.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
31 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Meanwhile, Helm practises Helm’s skills.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Nov. 2025
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The challenge, as always in football, is for those players to showcase their skill within the context of a high tempo.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
2 Nov. 2025
Noun
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At Ironworks Steaks and Fine Cocktails, Chef Joseph Cusmano brings creativity and skill to a traditional steakhouse menu with a few fun surprises to keep diners on their toes.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
25 Oct. 2025
-
Simply add your own creativity and can-do spirit.—
Kathy Barnes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
25 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Efforts to compete with Amazon during its ascent in the 2010s had department stores playing catchup on supply chain prowess and integrating stores with e-commerce—sometimes to the detriment of in-store experience.—
Phil Wahba,
Fortune,
7 Nov. 2025
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The closing scene of the trailer pokes fun at the Grammy-winning singer's dancing prowess.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
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With a new wave of talent, including Santiago Giménez, Edson Álvarez, and César Montes leading the charge, El Tri are blending youthful energy with experienced leadership.—
Ben Verbrugge,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
-
My father had two superpowers that saved him in the face of all those failures—his talent for telling stories and gardening.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Coaching successfully in such conditions requires a mixture of humility and self-confidence, as well as a certain cunning.—
Dermot Corrigan,
New York Times,
31 Oct. 2025
-
The story follows Toto, an almost completely blind cat with incredible ninja skills, who must use her courage and cunning to stop a deadly King Cobra that has escaped onto the streets of London, alongside her cheeky brother Silver.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
21 Oct. 2025
Noun
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For decades, the dream of personal flight, as envisioned by jetpacks, hoverboards, and flying cars, has captured our imagination.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
4 Nov. 2025
-
Paddington Bear’s meeting with a BBC News journalist appears to have captured the imagination of fans after the marmalade-loving mammal made his debut in a West End musical.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
4 Nov. 2025
Noun
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The board uses statewide assessments, English proficiency, attendance, special education metrics, and graduation rates and progress to determine a school's performance.—
Erick Trevino,
AZCentral.com,
3 Nov. 2025
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In Jackson’s absence, Tyler Huntley played one of his best career games, throwing 17-of-22 for 186 yards and a touchdown while orchestrating the offense with proficiency.—
Ben Morse,
CNN Money,
29 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cleverness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cleverness. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
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