Definition of ingeniousnext

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 Arduous, ingenious Kuba textile process Creating the textiles is a community effort. Virginia Brown, Charlotte Observer, 24 Feb. 2026 Byrne, the ingenious Talking Heads co-founder, conceived the show and wrote the music and lyrics. Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2026 Salazar-Thompson’s ingenious new version of Hammett’s noir masterpiece features five versatile performers transforming between roles to bring 1920s San Francisco’s underbelly to hilarious life. Ut Community Press, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Feb. 2026 Witness the scale and ferocity of nature’s most powerful forces – from hurricanes and flash floods to droughts and bushfires – and discover the ingenious ways nature endures, adapts and prevails against these new extremes. Leo Barraclough, Variety, 18 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ingenious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ingenious
Adjective
  • Some of my more inventive exhibition ideas center on the artist’s experience rather than the artwork.
    Ray Mark Rinaldi, Denver Post, 9 Mar. 2026
  • Your inventive concepts land better when the delivery is simple and well-paced.
    Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 8 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Each clever trap lands with festive flair, proving that Windsor’s women really run the show.
    Cincinnati Enquirer, Cincinnati Enquirer, 7 Mar. 2026
  • Career conversations ask for calm leadership as the vibrant Sun embraces clever Mercury in your 10th House of Respect, invigorating you with ambitious potential.
    Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 7 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • That innovative spirit continued as Bowling grew his food truck into full-fledged restaurants.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 10 Mar. 2026
  • Meanwhile, Sesame is an innovative self-pay health care organization with a platform that operates in all 50 states and connects patients directly with doctors, without insurance as a middle-man.
    Anna Moeslein, Glamour, 9 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • After all, this show, and Julia May Jonas’s book upon which it is based, is all about dark, unrequited desires and power dynamics as told by an unreliable narrator who largely lives inside her own imaginative head.
    Meg Walters, Glamour, 9 Mar. 2026
  • McCabe said the process of creating quilts can take longer than paintings, particularly when the artists dye their own fabric, cut the fabric and assemble it in imaginative and creative ways.
    Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Caravaggio, born and trained in Lombardy, had a creative boldness based on confronting reality.
    Dan Stahl, New Yorker, 13 Mar. 2026
  • In addition to Lauder, who is the great-granddaughter of cosmetics giant Estée Lauder, Act 4 Artists is run by Casey Hanley and Steven Sachs, who serve as co-heads of development and production, and Camila Keller Sarmiento, head of event programming and creative producer.
    Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • San Francisco put on the hardest of sells on to try to keep the talented linebacker — head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch flew to Texas to try to talk him out of leaving — but Greenlaw ultimately chose the Broncos.
    Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 10 Mar. 2026
  • Maybe these talented hopefuls should stick to writing and forego the arduous road of becoming a full-time artist.
    Shirley Halperin, Rolling Stone, 9 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Ingenious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ingenious. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.

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