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noun

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word cunning distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of cunning are artful, crafty, foxy, slick, sly, tricky, and wily. While all these words mean "attaining or seeking to attain one's ends by guileful or devious means," cunning suggests the inventive use of sometimes limited intelligence in overreaching or circumventing.

the cunning fox avoided the trap

In what contexts can artful take the place of cunning?

While in some cases nearly identical to cunning, artful implies indirectness in dealing and often connotes sophistication or cleverness.

elicited the information by artful questioning

Where would crafty be a reasonable alternative to cunning?

The synonyms crafty and cunning are sometimes interchangeable, but crafty implies cleverness and subtlety of method.

a crafty lefthander

When is it sensible to use foxy instead of cunning?

The words foxy and cunning can be used in similar contexts, but foxy implies a shrewd and wary craftiness usually involving devious dealing.

a foxy publicity man planting stories

When could slick be used to replace cunning?

In some situations, the words slick and cunning are roughly equivalent. However, slick emphasizes smoothness and guile.

slick operators selling time-sharing

When would sly be a good substitute for cunning?

Although the words sly and cunning have much in common, sly implies furtiveness, lack of candor, and skill in concealing one's aims and methods.

a sly corporate raider

When might tricky be a better fit than cunning?

While the synonyms tricky and cunning are close in meaning, tricky is more likely to suggest shiftiness and unreliability than skill in deception and maneuvering.

a tricky political operative

When can wily be used instead of cunning?

The meanings of wily and cunning largely overlap; however, wily implies skill and deception in maneuvering.

the wily fugitive escaped the posse

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 cunning
Adjective
The mean girl, as we’ve been taught to recognize her, is cunning and charismatic. Shelby Stewart, Essence, 8 Apr. 2025 Saxon, meanwhile, is a bit too dumb to be so cunning. Randall Colburn, EW.com, 4 Apr. 2025
Noun
Gilded by privilege and cunning, Glinda is a popular young woman who desires to wield magic. Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 23 Jan. 2025 There’s an unapologetic cunning at the heart of this series, and a mercurial spirit that’s as slippery as blood on an Italian marble floor. Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 4 Apr. 2024 See All Example Sentences for cunning
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cunning
Adjective
  • Save on breezy skirts, cute jeans, and stretchy yoga pants that are ideal for travel.
    Isabel Garcia, People.com, 26 Apr. 2025
  • More: Are cute children's books teaching kids about gender and sexuality?
    Stephen J. Beard, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • He has been credited as a skilled recruiter and defensive coordinator who contributed to the school reaching the NCAA Tournament in each of those seasons.
    Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 28 Apr. 2025
  • As usual, Ellie attempts to mask her feelings with sarcasm, but this doesn’t really work with Gail (who’s skilled at doing the same).
    Keith Phipps, Vulture, 28 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The combination of humor, humility, and skill made Arya stand out in a space dominated by polished perfection.
    Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2025
  • An All-American at Michigan, the 6-2 Johnson has size to compete with bigger receivers and has excellent ball skills.
    Doug Haller, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The Erosion Of Trust Through Inconsistent Words Many people associate the breakdown of trust with major betrayals like infidelity or deception.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 26 Apr. 2025
  • Warrantless search and seizure, deception, untrammeled use of force.
    Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 25 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Shannon Riley, founder and CEO of Building 180 – an art production and consulting agency that arranged the installation – told USA TODAY battery and funding reasons limit the subtle chest motions that mimic breathing to an hour a day, from 5-6 p.m.
    Jorge L. Ortiz, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Here, the power lies in subtle luxury—heritage made tangible.
    Kate Hardcastle, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The show’s real draw is its cast, which expands to include Matthew Rhys as a troubled detective, and a skillful adaptation that highlights the glossiest, cleverest elements of classic Christie—and adds a pinch of eros.
    Judy Berman, Time, 30 Apr. 2025
  • Then the animators could take over and finish the rest with their skillful photorealism.
    Bill Desowitz, IndieWire, 18 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • But here, Gyllenhaal mesmerizes in a career-best performance that taps into the infinite well of his talent, portraying Iago’s scorching resentment, guile and humor.
    Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY, 24 Mar. 2025
  • All of which is to say, Cooper is very good at playing someone adept at persuasion, either through intimidation or guile.
    Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 9 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Defense attorney Alan Jackson told the jury the collision never happened, and the investigation into Read was riddled with errors, bias, incompetence and deceit from the start.
    N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 24 Apr. 2025
  • In economic markets, maintaining a consumer’s freedom of choice requires regulations against coercion and deceit.
    Michael Gregory, The Conversation, 17 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Cunning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cunning. Accessed 3 May. 2025.

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