1
as in ability
mental skill or quickness
it takes real cleverness to find a way around the rules
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cleverness
Noun
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At right-back, there is still no established first-choice, but Matheus Nunes is quicker and has more ability to join the attack than Rico Lewis, which was the direction the team were moving in towards the end of last season.—
James McNicholas,
New York Times,
15 Aug. 2025 -
The rocket's inability to make it through an entire suborbital test flight has pushed back future program milestones, such as the challenging tasks of recovering and reusing the rocket's upper stage, and demonstrating the ability to refuel another rocket in orbit.—
Stephen Clark,
ArsTechnica,
15 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Meanwhile, other users were impressed with her makeup skills.—
Charna Flam,
People.com,
12 Aug. 2025
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While her classroom always had books, Holland taught her students career-readiness skills such as how to make a resume, interview practice and how to complete job applications.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
12 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Professionals who thrive will combine in-demand technical skills with human qualities such as creativity, empathy and critical thinking—abilities that artificial intelligence still can’t fully replicate.—
Caroline Castrillon,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
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Through global disruptions, shifting audience behaviors, and major industry evolution, your perseverance and creativity never wavered.—
Pamela McClintock,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Mulligan has shown his prowess at the Critical Role table before in spinoffs Exandria Unlimited: Calamity and Exandria Unlimited: Divergence, not only building upon the world that Mercer created, but adding to it with the DM’s blessing.—
Dana Reboe,
Rolling Stone,
7 Aug. 2025
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Tilbury, the namesake beauty founder and entrepreneur, saw an alignment in the female prowess at the heart of both her brand and the DCC, which is led by Charlotte Jones, co-owner and chief brand officer of the Dallas Cowboys.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
4 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Perhaps most intriguing is the prelim card's opening bout between submission guru Chase Hooper and wrestling talent Alexander Hernandez at lightweight.—
Ben Verbrugge,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Aug. 2025
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Hines would have fit the bill–even without elite talent–but this development changes things.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes.com,
16 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Despite being outnumbered fifty-to-one by the Five Families of the Italian Mafia, the Westies’ legendary brutality and cunning have given them the leverage necessary to share the spoils through a fragile détente.—
Joe Otterson,
Variety,
30 July 2025
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Despite being outnumbered 50-to-1 by the Five Families of the Italian mafia, the Westies’ legendary brutality and cunning have given them the leverage necessary to share the spoils through a fragile détente.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
28 May 2025
Noun
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Moss designed the whimsical room with warm colors and materials to help invite imagination.—
Cameron Beall,
Southern Living,
6 Aug. 2025
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Perhaps no instance of social justice looms larger in the popular imagination than the summer of 2020, when the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police provoked protests and riots across the country at the height of the pandemic.—
Andrea Long Chu,
Vulture,
5 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Maipo first found its fame with great Cabernet Sauvignon, powerful wines, yet this Floresta illustrates the fresher style with finesse.—
Cathrine Todd,
Forbes.com,
31 July 2025
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Tasted side-by-side, the elegance of the 2008 and power and finesse of the 2013 shine a light on vintage variation and the subtle effects of bottle aging under perfect conditions.—
Mike DeSimone,
Robb Report,
27 July 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Cleverness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cleverness. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
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