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
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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
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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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of cunning
Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 16 Jan. 2026
And Halston has a cunning plan.
—Kaycee Sloan, Cincinnati Enquirer, 16 Jan. 2026
John Seabrook, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2025
Despite being outnumbered 50-to-1 by the Five Families of the Italian mafia, The Westies’ legendary brutality and cunning have given them the leverage necessary to share the spoils through a fragile détente.
—Denise Petski, Deadline, 9 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cunning
Adjective
The child is as smart and cunning as Dunk is thick and guileless.
—Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 16 Jan. 2026
And Halston has a cunning plan.
—Kaycee Sloan, Cincinnati Enquirer, 16 Jan. 2026
Noun
Federico Marchetti, the Italian fashion entrepreneur, is a master of sprezzatura—the courtier’s art of cloaking ambition and cunning in an air of guileless nonchalance.
—John Seabrook, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2025
Despite being outnumbered 50-to-1 by the Five Families of the Italian mafia, The Westies’ legendary brutality and cunning have given them the leverage necessary to share the spoils through a fragile détente.
—Denise Petski, Deadline, 9 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cunning
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cunning
Adjective
-
Matching lounge sets meet all the criteria of a great one-and-done airport outfit — they’re made from soft material, don’t require outfit planning, and actually look cute.—
Emily Weaver,
PEOPLE,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Each heart has a little black outline of a heart inside of it, creating cute sketched vibes.—
Kara Jillian Brown,
InStyle,
31 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The skilled direction of performance from the cast.—
Chris Gardner,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Jan. 2026
-
In the rest of the territory, companies or nations attempting to mine would have to build their own energy grid and transport networks, given the interior’s lack of either, as well as import an entire skilled labor force.—
Tristan Bove,
Fortune,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Ay, the superb slyness of that last response!—
Anthony Lane,
New Yorker,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The designer honors his Azerbaijani heritage, working with artisans from across Azerbaijan and Georgia to create rich, unique textures, while helping to support rural communities and preserve fading artisanal skills.—
Amy O’Brien,
Vogue,
30 Jan. 2026
-
According to a Forbes report, the app store is built on OM1, OpenMind’s modular operating system, which allows developers to create apps that package specific skills for distribution across multiple robot platforms.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Named one of the 10 Best Books of 2025 by The New York Times, Angel Down follows Private Cyril Bagger, who has managed to survive the unspeakable horrors of WWI through his wits and deception, swindling fellow soldiers at every opportunity.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
26 Jan. 2026
-
The drama about power, deception, and the complex bond between father and son is set in 1930s New York as international financier Gregor Antonescu’s empire faces collapse.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Reviewers say the boots have a great grip, even on slick sidewalks, and love that the higher shaft helps block out splashes and snowbanks.—
Toni Sutton,
PEOPLE,
1 Feb. 2026
-
In this era of aridly slick technofuturist aesthetics, objects and images revealing their sutures and seams appear to be utterly alive.—
Theo Belci,
Artforum,
1 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Rosenberg is careful to note that this doesn’t require abandoning values or discernment, but recognizing that beneath every expression — skillful, clumsy, or even hurtful — is an unmet need.—
Jasna Hodžić,
Big Think,
29 Jan. 2026
-
The music’s dizzying rhythmic variation is skillful and studied enough that its humor can’t be mistaken for gimmicky internet caricature.—
Rae-Aila Crumble,
Pitchfork,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
But by the middle of that decade, the club possessed a reputation, a ‘West Ham Way’, qualities of grit and guile personified by Billy Bonds and Trevor Brooking.—
Michael Walker,
New York Times,
15 Jan. 2026
-
In between is a huge chessboard for honing skills of strategy and guile while catching a tan.—
Mark David,
Robb Report,
4 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cunning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cunning. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.
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