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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
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
  • She has been married twice, marrying director Chris Calkins in 2009. 08 of 09 Woody Harrelson as Woody Boyd Woody Harrelson's Woody Boyd joined Cheers in season 4 as a not-so-bright but very cute bartender.
    Kate Hogan, People.com, 20 May 2025
  • There are some funny bits including Kenan Thompson’s moment and joking about Sherman getting fired, but the most apt word to describe this monologue is cute.
    Rosa Escandon, Forbes.com, 18 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
Noun
  • The class will teach skills needed to navigate Ozark streams and lakes large or small.
    Flip Putthoff, Arkansas Online, 20 May 2025
  • The purpose of higher education should be for students to continue to develop critical thinking skills, to grow, to question, to learn, to mature, and to hopefully develop knowledge that will serve those students in a vocation.
    Rep. Steve Weir, Hartford Courant, 20 May 2025
Noun
  • As an escaped convict posing as a beloved preacher, and as his gentle, upright twin, Robeson embodies a devastating split between appearance and truth, and whose uncanny doubling plays out in a community shaped by racial violence, spiritual deception, and economic precarity.
    Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 21 May 2025
  • Ellie, however, cannot abide Joel’s deception, and interrupts to tell the truth to Gail, who then slaps Joel and tells him to leave.
    Adam B. Vary, Variety, 19 May 2025
Adjective
  • With its strapless neckline, subtle side slit, and body-hugging silhouette, it was made for sipping cocktails under palm trees in Miami or dancing the night away in Barcelona.
    Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 13 May 2025
  • Vasudevan explains that cats use their paws not just for hunting or defending, but also for play and subtle communication.
    Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 May 2025
Adjective
  • Newton’s jewels are alive with her mastery of design, composition, skillful use of materials, and an instinct for creating irresistible objects.
    Kyle Roderick, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025
  • 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
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
  • Lia Thomas stole a medal through deceit, and this rag has the gall to call him a 'champion'?
    Nick Mordowanec, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 May 2025
  • Maeve doubles down on her deceit, lying to Conrad to cover her own ass.
    EW.com, EW.com, 11 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Cunning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cunning. Accessed 25 May. 2025.

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