cunningness

noun

Definition of cunningnessnext
1
as in cunning
skill in achieving one's ends through indirect, subtle, or underhanded means it took a certain amount of cunningness on the photographer's part to obtain such revealing portraits of his rich and famous subjects

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in deception
the inclination or practice of misleading others through lies or trickery people should remember that it was cunningness and not kindness that made him a very wealthy lawyer

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 cunningness The costume thus becomes a family heirloom, one steeped in grace and cunningness. — Andrew McGowan, Variety, 12 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cunningness
  1. cunning
  2. deception
  3. deceit
  4. deceptiveness
  5. deceitfulness
  6. fraud
  7. cheating
Noun
  • At least all of that exhibited a malign cunning, a kind of instrumental rationality.
    — Andrew Koppelman, Chicago Tribune, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Lethally charming and a natural chameleon, Conal uses social cunning and ruthlessness to get the job done and always gets a thrill out of completing a mission.
    — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of cunning
Noun
  • But the quarterback sneak has never worked well because of its deception.
    — Sam McDowell November 3, Kansas City Star, 3 Nov. 2026
  • The resulting models displayed resistance to monitoring, deception, and attempts at self-preservation.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 31 Oct. 2026
Definition of deception
Noun
  • Fielder is an unusual figure to helm a documentary about truth and deceit.
    — Andrew McGowan, Fortune, 26 Oct. 2026
  • These types of harms could include defamation, bias, deceit and social engineering and much more.
    — Anat Lior, The Conversation, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of deceit
Noun
  • Of course, the retort is that this would be irritating and exasperating to be continually deluged with alerts about AI deceptiveness.
    — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 24 Aug. 2025
  • Beyond the deceptiveness of the narrow material view, spiritual light and hope are always present to be found and felt.
    — Sue Brightman, Christian Science Monitor, 3 Jan. 2025
Definition of deceptiveness
Noun
  • Antisocial personality includes a persistent pattern of traits such as callousness, lack of concern, deceitfulness, and irresponsibility, Ryan said.
    — Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Apr. 2026
  • Perfidy — from the French perfidie via the Latin perfidia — means deceitfulness, treachery or a breach of faith or promise.
    — Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 21 Jan. 2026
Definition of deceitfulness
Noun
  • Surveys show that both Democrats and Republicans believe that sizable proportions of the other side favor wrongful imprisonment, tax fraud, embezzlement, adultery, animal abuse, and child pornography.
    — Paul Bloom, New Yorker, 6 Nov. 2026
  • None of these behaviors automatically indicates fraud or higher risk.
    — Artem Lalaiants, Forbes.com, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of fraud
Noun
  • In contrast to the president's rhetoric about election cheating, voting unfolded with relatively few problems.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 4 Nov. 2026
  • In contrast to the president’s continued rhetoric about election cheating, voting so far has unfolded with relatively few problems.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of cheating

Browse Nearby Words

cunningly
cunningness
cup
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Cite this Entry

“Cunningness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cunningness. Accessed 8 Nov. 2026.

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