1
as in ability
mental skill or quickness
it takes real cleverness to find a way around the rules
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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
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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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Recent Examples of cleverness
As to the famous fine line between stupid and clever, the stupidity and the cleverness are all but inextricable, and to the point.
—
Television Critic, Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2026
Gartside tended to lead with the deconstructionist angle on his writing, and most critics seemed to take it as a given that all the lovey-dovey stuff was conceptual cleverness, a way of infiltrating pop and turning its lingua franca in on itself.
—Andy Cush, Pitchfork, 15 Feb. 2026
Choose kindness over cleverness, warmth over wit, empathy over one-upmanship.
—Glenn Kurlander, Fortune, 28 Jan. 2026
The narrative cleverness would only go so far, however, if it were not expertly brought to life.
—Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 26 Jan. 2026
But the show’s engagement with this material now often feels perfunctory, more interested in displaying cleverness or swagger than in advancing character.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 6 Jan. 2026
His air of louche mischief attended his farces about Dada and James Joyce and moral determinism, his cleverness worn as lightly as a scarf.
—Helen Shaw, New Yorker, 30 Nov. 2025
But that sense of self-conscious cleverness and cutesy desperation is a choice that the movie is now going to have to live with forever.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 25 Nov. 2025
The future will be shaped not by the cleverness of our algorithms, but by the depth of our moral imagination.
—Nicole Brachetti Peretti, Time, 11 Nov. 2025
Television Critic, Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2026
Gartside tended to lead with the deconstructionist angle on his writing, and most critics seemed to take it as a given that all the lovey-dovey stuff was conceptual cleverness, a way of infiltrating pop and turning its lingua franca in on itself.
—Andy Cush, Pitchfork, 15 Feb. 2026
Choose kindness over cleverness, warmth over wit, empathy over one-upmanship.
—Glenn Kurlander, Fortune, 28 Jan. 2026
The narrative cleverness would only go so far, however, if it were not expertly brought to life.
—Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 26 Jan. 2026
But the show’s engagement with this material now often feels perfunctory, more interested in displaying cleverness or swagger than in advancing character.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 6 Jan. 2026
His air of louche mischief attended his farces about Dada and James Joyce and moral determinism, his cleverness worn as lightly as a scarf.
—Helen Shaw, New Yorker, 30 Nov. 2025
But that sense of self-conscious cleverness and cutesy desperation is a choice that the movie is now going to have to live with forever.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 25 Nov. 2025
The future will be shaped not by the cleverness of our algorithms, but by the depth of our moral imagination.
—Nicole Brachetti Peretti, Time, 11 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cleverness
Noun
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Next, the team wants to use digital reconstruction methods to correct deformation on other parts of the skull, such as the braincase, to reveal insights about the brain size of Little Foot — and potentially unlock clues about the cognitive abilities of our early human ancestors.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
7 Mar. 2026
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Surviving and thriving for 150 years requires ongoing commitment, generosity, leadership and the unique ability to adapt repeatedly without drifting from or losing one’s core values.—
David Swanson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Along with his staff of residents, med students, and nurses, Robby patches up the Steel City’s working poor with an almost Mother Teresan goodheartedness and skill.—
Graham Hillard,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Mar. 2026
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At the same time, the collection was a path for King to stretch his skills in a way that naturally aligned with bringing a new perspective to Zara Home’s lineup.—
Audrey Lee,
Architectural Digest,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
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As always, Mexicans will rise to the occasion with efficiency, creativity and fun, to make sure all attendees feel safe and successfully enjoy every match of the 2026 World Cup.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Mar. 2026
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Audience reactions from early access screenings have been similar, with moviegoers also applauding the film’s creativity and humor.—
Pamela McClintock,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The characters in his orbit are quite strong in their own right, but here, as in The Office, Carell’s unflagging comedy prowess provides the energy that powers the narrative into full-on hilarity.—
Erin Qualey,
Vulture,
9 Mar. 2026
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Tech crucial to China’s future Analysts believe technological prowess remains the far more important goal for Chinese leader Xi Jinping and his vision to build the nation into a major power that can contend with the United States on issues ranging from trade to Taiwan tensions.—
Ken Moritsugu,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
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But without freedom, Berdyaev writes, creativeness is impossible.—
Andrew McDiarmid,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Like a rebellious band member or an unruly lover, Takahiro Miyashita has a talent for breaking up and making up.—
Ashley Ogawa Clarke,
Vogue,
9 Mar. 2026
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According to a 2024 survey conducted across 200 companies, talent retention remains another major concern for manufacturers, contributing to labor scarcity.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The confidence that began Carrick’s spell in charge will need to be matched with new cunning and craft.—
Carl Anka,
New York Times,
5 Mar. 2026
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But Muck is no Epstein, malevolent and cunning.—
Spencer Kornhaber,
The Atlantic,
2 Mar. 2026
Noun
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While the original footage of Gugusse and his mechanical friend might never be found, its place in our imagination is secure.—
Munis Raza,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Mar. 2026
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January 20 – February 18 When kindness meets imagination, conversations blossom.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
7 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cleverness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cleverness. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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