1
as in cute
clever at attaining one's ends by indirect and often deceptive means
a cunning, underhanded plan to win the election by preying on people's fears and prejudices
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in skilled
skillful with the hands
only the most cunning cabinetmaker could have crafted such a beautifully proportioned chest of drawers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in slyness
skill in achieving one's ends through indirect, subtle, or underhanded means
the cunning with which Tom Sawyer was able to get others to whitewash the fence for him
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in skill
subtle or imaginative ability in inventing, devising, or executing something
the unmatched cunning of the scout who led them safely through the trackless wilderness
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in deception
the inclination or practice of misleading others through lies or trickery
used cunning and subterfuge to lure unwitting victims into the fraudulent scheme
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
2
as in deceit
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of cunning
Jane Ciabattari
september 2, Literary Hub, 2 Sep. 2025
Bening will costar on the series as Beulah Jackson, who's described as the powerful, cunning, and charming head of a major ranch in Texas.
—EW.com, 31 Aug. 2025
Tim Grierson, Vulture, 15 Aug. 2025
Played by Austin Abrams with the wiry desperation and cunning of an addict, James is an unhoused junkie living in a tent in the woods, who has a nasty brush with Paul.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 5 Aug. 2025
Andrew McGowan, Variety, 12 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cunning
Adjective
Joan Silber is a contemporary genius at creating artful stories of a multitude of characters who ricochet in cunning ways, crossing generations and continents.
—Jane Ciabattari
september 2, Literary Hub, 2 Sep. 2025
Bening will costar on the series as Beulah Jackson, who's described as the powerful, cunning, and charming head of a major ranch in Texas.
—EW.com, 31 Aug. 2025
Noun
Denzel plays the earnest private with a secret with a smart, eager-to-please manner that disguises the cunning and danger underneath.
—Tim Grierson, Vulture, 15 Aug. 2025
Played by Austin Abrams with the wiry desperation and cunning of an addict, James is an unhoused junkie living in a tent in the woods, who has a nasty brush with Paul.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 5 Aug. 2025
Noun
The costume thus becomes a family heirloom, one steeped in grace and cunningness.
—Andrew McGowan, Variety, 12 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cunning
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cunning
Adjective
-
Rumors about the Only Murders in the Building star's nuptials with Benny Blanco being this weekend turned out to be 100-percent true, and as soon as a few beautiful photos of the cute couple were green-lighted to be shared with the eager public, fans were double-tapping with tears in their eyes.—
Marci Robin,
Allure,
27 Sep. 2025
-
The set comes in moody neutrals like gray, indigo, cream, and white, and even arrives in a cute storage tote.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
27 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
La Galerie du 19M Tokyo, which opens to the public on Tuesday, underlines the importance of skilled labor in the face of AI, generational transition and debate about the value of luxury goods, as the house prepares for the first show by its new artistic director Matthieu Blazy.—
Joelle Diderich,
Footwear News,
29 Sep. 2025
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The additional hurdle for H-1B visas—a category for high-skilled workers that many tech companies rely upon—could undermine America’s ability to attract top tech talent, Bansal explained.—
Kristin Stoller,
Fortune,
29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
However, the more subtle aspects of Goodman’s all-around game — pitch calling, receiving, and knowledge of opposing hitters — have been impressive.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
27 Sep. 2025
-
The roomy primary compartment offers ample space for your phone, wallet, and other sightseeing essentials, while a subtle pocket at the back of the bag is a safe place to store your passport during travel days.—
Merrell Readman,
Travel + Leisure,
27 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Ragnar is one of the very best Nordic crime writers, as skillful in thrillers like this series as in murder mystery stories.—
Anders de la Motte,
PEOPLE,
28 Sep. 2025
-
Setting boundaries requires a balance of self-awareness and skillful communication.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The agency brought a similar dark patterns lawsuit against Uber in April, accusing the ride-hailing and delivery company of deceptive billing and cancellation practices tied to its Uber One subscription service.—
Annie Palmer,
CNBC,
23 Sep. 2025
-
The name of the series has also penetrated the cultural lexicon as a way to refer to someone who has been deceptive about their identity online.—
Melina Khan,
USA Today,
23 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
That was all part of Horan’s slick pitch.—
Lars Brandle,
Billboard,
23 Sep. 2025
-
Otherwise, every surface is covered in slick plastic, pure white.—
Ellen Cushing,
The Atlantic,
22 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
From the cool, dank blue-gray tones of Maria’s basement to the clever signage that adorns the schoolroom walls, the production mechanics work to pull viewers further into this high stakes character study.—
Holly Jones,
Variety,
26 Sep. 2025
-
Adding a daybed in gingham, especially one done up in the coastal blue Perennials upholstery that winks at Dorothy’s iconic dress, is a clever way to play up the timeless print when brainstorming a new bedroom furniture layout.—
Yelena Moroz Alpert,
Architectural Digest,
26 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The book is a kind of illness travelogue in which the wily poet-author’s avatar shows up every day in a new mind and body, and often in a new place, with rejiggered symptoms, and attempts to win her reborn self’s favor, or at least its mercy.—
Paul McAdory,
Vulture,
22 Sep. 2025
-
The semicolon is a wily punctuation mark.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
22 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cunning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cunning. Accessed 1 Oct. 2025.
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