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
Amy Weiss-Meyer, The Atlantic, 8 May 2025
Premiering in January 2023, The Traitors has gone on to widespread acclaim, even winning Emmys for Outstanding Reality Competition Program and Outstanding Host for a Reality or Reality Competition Program (Alan Cumming on cunning form).
—Griff Griffin, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 May 2025
Hunter Ingram, Variety, 23 Feb. 2025
Gilded by privilege and cunning, Glinda is a popular young woman who desires to wield magic.
—Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 23 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cunning
Adjective
In real life, most would-be Proud Boys don’t have cunning, progressive housemates who will throw away their gun parts.
—Amy Weiss-Meyer, The Atlantic, 8 May 2025
Premiering in January 2023, The Traitors has gone on to widespread acclaim, even winning Emmys for Outstanding Reality Competition Program and Outstanding Host for a Reality or Reality Competition Program (Alan Cumming on cunning form).
—Griff Griffin, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 May 2025
Noun
For Mirren, the cunning and cruelty of Whitfield is a timely example of power corrupting absolutely.
—Hunter Ingram, Variety, 23 Feb. 2025
Gilded by privilege and cunning, Glinda is a popular young woman who desires to wield magic.
—Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 23 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cunning
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cunning
Adjective
-
The knotted fabric straps have an elevated look, making these cute enough to wear with your favorite sundresses and skirts.—
Amelia McBride,
Travel + Leisure,
1 June 2025
-
In addition to pool and beach looks, these slides look cute with baggy jeans and graphic tank tops, flowy midi dresses, and two-piece linen sets.—
Jessie Quinn,
StyleCaster,
28 May 2025
Adjective
-
Deploying this type of technology at scale could not only help identify at-risk patients for proactive monitoring but also address the global need for medical professionals, with the U.S. alone requiring 122,000 skilled physicians by 2032.—
Max Votek,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2025
-
The presence of someone skilled, experienced and committed to public service could strengthen the agency, at a time when the federal work force faces unprecedented strain.—
Kwame Anthony Appiah,
New York Times,
21 May 2025
Adjective
-
Arthritis in your fingers often starts with subtle changes.—
Brandi Jones,
Health,
25 May 2025
-
The navy, white, and subtle red palette nods to the seaside and seamlessly blends into Printemps' signature French elegance.—
Roxanne Robinson,
Forbes.com,
25 May 2025
Adjective
-
These additional components underscore the importance of music, movement, libations, skillful presentation, and audience participation to masquerade more broadly.—
Chadd Scott,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2025
-
Who lives and who dies depends on a slew of variable factors: Where they are tried, how skillful their attorneys are, the whims of prosecutors, quirks in the law, the dispositions of judges and jurors, and what victims want.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
11 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
During the defense’s cross-examination of Kid Cudi, lawyers representing Combs portrayed Ventura as deceptive of both men.—
Conor Murray,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2025
-
California’s attorney general, Rob Bonta, filed a suit against ExxonMobil last year that, in part, accuses the oil giant of deceptive claims regarding chemical recycling, which the company disputes.—
Susanne Rust,
Los Angeles Times,
22 May 2025
Adjective
-
But even with slick hair and unpredictable speech patterns, Max Zorin is no match for James Bond.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
24 May 2025
-
Early in the process, their characters find themselves being pursued through London at high speeds by cop cars, with Krasinski behind the wheel of a slick Shelby Cobra.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
24 May 2025
Adjective
-
The 76 gasoline brand, after all, evokes the patriotism of 1776 — a clever marketing ploy.—
Sammy Roth,
Los Angeles Times,
29 May 2025
-
Charlie Davis Season: 46 Placed: 2nd If Q was the hurricane blowing through Survivor 46, Davis was a source of calm geniality at the center, constantly quoting Taylor Swift songs while obscuring his careful, clever gameplay.—
Ben Rosenstock,
Time,
29 May 2025
Adjective
-
The story arc, anchored by George Bizet’s famous musical score, focuses the narrative on Don José, the Spanish soldier who falls for the wily Carmen and her charms.—
Lisa Vernon Sparks,
Charlotte Observer,
24 Apr. 2025
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And Luis Guzmán makes a welcome appearance as Mia’s wily Uncle Raul, whose scrapyard is a front for criminal sidelines.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
24 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cunning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cunning. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.
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