Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective ingenious differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of ingenious are adroit, clever, and cunning. While all these words mean "having or showing practical wit or skill in contriving," ingenious suggests the power of inventing or discovering a new way of accomplishing something.

an ingenious software engineer

In what contexts can adroit take the place of ingenious?

The meanings of adroit and ingenious largely overlap; however, adroit often implies a skillful use of expedients to achieve one's purpose in spite of difficulties.

an adroit negotiator

When is it sensible to use clever instead of ingenious?

The words clever and ingenious can be used in similar contexts, but clever stresses physical or mental quickness, deftness, or great aptitude.

a person clever with horses

When might cunning be a better fit than ingenious?

Although the words cunning and ingenious have much in common, cunning implies great skill in constructing or creating.

a filmmaker cunning in his use of special effects

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 ingenious Amid those seasonal wonders, the restaurants, galleries, shops, and studios—and the ingenious people behind them—continue to enrich the city’s landscape. Caroline Rogers, Southern Living, 31 Aug. 2025 Ovalle leaves Tigres as the club’s all-time leading goalscorer, and one of her goals, against Chivas Guadalajara earlier this year, is being put forward as a possible contender for the best goal of the year in all of soccer, thanks to the ingenious nature of the finish. James Nalton, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2025 Neville came up with an ingenious way to divide the four episodes thematically. Matthew Carey, Deadline, 16 Aug. 2025 In the end, Rothstein—a master spider—was ensnared in a web even more ingenious than his own, woven, maddeningly, by lesser spiders. Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 4 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ingenious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ingenious
Adjective
  • There’s humor, insight, and a ton of catchy and inventive premises here.
    James Folta, Literary Hub, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Still, these issues fade into the background as you’re presented with some of the most inventive and subversive artistic creations of 2025.
    Matt Gardner, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Hacking a pre-Internet console Making this amusing amalgam of past and present technology possible required some clever engineering.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 12 Sep. 2025
  • If so, its still a quick and clever method for styling a bun in a pinch.
    Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Often, the most innovative solutions come from combining AI insights with human wisdom from diverse sources.
    Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes.com, 12 Sep. 2025
  • What transpired were innovative and somewhat futuristic trousers, blazers, and outerwear.
    Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • This sculptural Snoopy mug brings the scene to life, featuring the dog in his heroic Flying Ace outfit (which doubles as an adorable Halloween costume idea), scarf and goggles in place, ready for imaginative aerial battles.
    Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Again, bold and daring and wild changes, sure, but also imaginative and illuminating.
    Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Still, Target is taking aim at its biggest problem, and given the declining fortunes of this classic American brand, that alone constitutes a creative step in the right direction.
    Dan Gingiss, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
  • From a creative perspective, who was the better playwright, Inchbald the professional or Austen, who merely played around at it in her fiction?
    Emily Zarevich, JSTOR Daily, 11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The music industry – any field in entertainment, actually – can be fraught with exciting parties, events, and the spoils that come with hitting it big, but all of these things have spelled the downfall for too many talented artists.
    Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
  • The Ravens made an argument for the NFL’s most talented team.
    Saad Yousuf, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Ingenious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ingenious. Accessed 13 Sep. 2025.

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