CUNNINGLY Synonyms: 47 Similar and Opposite Words

cunningly

adverb

Definition of cunningly

as in craftily

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

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 cunningly Penelope remains faithful and rules Ithaca in his absence, cunningly stalling her suitors. — Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 20 July 2026 But cunningly, in the years since 1945—and responsibly and rightly, too—the United States put together a system where most of the other strong countries were also friends. — David Frum, The Atlantic, 8 Apr. 2026 Instead of kings and queens cunningly maneuvering their armies against their enemies, there’s only an ox of a man and a bald little boy, neither of whom exhibits a clearly superior intellect. — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 13 Jan. 2026 Court filings from the former players allege how Lorch methodically groomed and abused children from some of the nation’s poorest communities, cunningly and cruelly preying on their desperation and love of the city game, on an almost industrial scale. — Luke Cyphers, Sportico.com, 17 Oct. 2025 The complex portrayal wasn’t that far from Göring, who was the guy behind the guy atop the Nazi hierarchy who on the surface was a charming narcissist reputed to be a great dinner party guest, but was at heart a cunningly manipulative villain. — Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 8 Sep. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for cunningly

Adverb

As the only standalone English track of the album, its lyrics speak of a situationship so suspended in uncertainty that Selines craftily matched it with the sonic sensation of floating into outer space.

— Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026
Some players struggled against the size of bigger and stronger players, while others craftily created space with deft footwork and manipulation.

— Devin Robertson, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Aug. 2025

Definition of craftily

Adverb

Leather has had a slyly stylish moment in menswear over the past year, too, with the likes of Alexander Skarsgård and Pedro Pascal reaching for it in lieu of more conventional suiting.

— Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 24 Sep. 2026
But his profound reflections are punctuated by superb slapstick, slyly symbolic sleight-of-hand and, yes, some serious Shakespeare that make for an equally entertaining and thought-provoking hour.

— Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of slyly

Adverb

The film is certainly casting a spell, and whether or not that’s simply cynical (and insidiously effective) marketing doesn’t much matter when you’re caught up in it.

— Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2026
In the American West, where playing dress-up in reenactments and photo booths and even city streets is already so commonplace, this line of questioning is insidiously limited.

— Téa Obreht, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of insidiously

Adverb

Research into psychedelics for depression, PTSD, end-of-life care, and anxiety has exploded, and overall recreational usage has risen sharply.

— Claire Hoffman, Rolling Stone, 21 Sep. 2026
While the national average cost of regular gasoline has risen sharply over the past week, California prices have surpassed $6 per gallon, according to AAA.

— Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of sharply

Adverb

There are cities where rats are glimpsed at night, furtively scurrying into a dark corner or among the train tracks.

— David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 18 Sep. 2026
Jordan may wish to exact revenge, and Eddy may want to find one of the victims who has vanished, but both have to go about their work furtively.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of furtively

Adverb

The Oscar-winning actress, who turned 57 years old on Friday, gave a styling lesson in how to artfully style sheer pieces.

— Julia Teti, Footwear News, 25 Sep. 2026
And Mylette Nora’s costumes artfully conjure both the underworld and the spiritual realm.

— Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of artfully

Adverb

That virtue is undermined here by leads with minimal chemistry, one of them inexpressive and the other archly theatrical, by design if not to rewarding effect.

— David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 21 May 2026
The show, which followed a crooked New Mexican lawyer, played by Bob Odenkirk, was an archly funny drama, shot partly in gritty black-and-white.

— Rachel Syme, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2025

Definition of archly

Browse Nearby Words

cunning

cunningly

cunningness

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Cunningly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cunningly. Accessed 28 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of cunningly

adverb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

fungible

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes