as in skills
knowledge gained by actually doing or living through something
she's an excellent scholar of political science, but lacks the kind of savvy needed to run for public office
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in smart
having or showing a practical cleverness or judgment
a particularly savvy investor, he was among the first to see the potential in tech stocks
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to know
to have a clear idea of
the man growled, "Don't ever date my daughter again—you savvy?"
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 savvy
Darlin Tillery, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
Despite their goal to uphold centuries-old traditions, Malpai ranchers are forward-thinking and tech-savvy.
—Shi En Kim, AZCentral.com, 26 Mar. 2026
Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 7 May 2026
The result is something that both design-minded, social media-savvy jet setters and even the saltiest locals can get behind.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 May 2026
Rafael Nam, NPR, 19 Feb. 2026
Social media savvy, humor, idealism and staying on message about the city’s affordability crisis helped Mamdani overwhelmingly win over young voters and others willing to look past his lack of experience.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for savvy
Noun
In their post, the original poster (OP), user TeacherGuy1980, pushed back on the idea that today’s students are naturally tech-savvy and called for a return to dedicated computer skills classes.
—Darlin Tillery, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
Despite their goal to uphold centuries-old traditions, Malpai ranchers are forward-thinking and tech-savvy.
—Shi En Kim, AZCentral.com, 26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
Our team of savvy editors independently handpicks all recommendations.
—Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 7 May 2026
The result is something that both design-minded, social media-savvy jet setters and even the saltiest locals can get behind.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 May 2026
Verb
From telegenic looks to savvy social media, here are the traits that can turn athletes into millionaires.
—Rafael Nam, NPR, 19 Feb. 2026
Social media savvy, humor, idealism and staying on message about the city’s affordability crisis helped Mamdani overwhelmingly win over young voters and others willing to look past his lack of experience.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for savvy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for savvy
Noun
-
There is a desire for better center play, true lob threats who mimic the skills of Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively II (with cleaner injury histories).—
Dan Woike,
New York Times,
12 May 2026
-
In March, Sharon Ofek, a superintendent in Carmel, California, praised the software’s math lessons for teaching problem-solving skills rather than memorization of formulas.—
Tyler Kingkade,
NBC news,
12 May 2026
Adjective
-
January 20 – February 18 A smarter routine or work shift could make life feel noticeably lighter today.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
10 May 2026
-
Aquarius January 20 – February 18 A smarter routine or work shift could make life feel noticeably lighter today.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
10 May 2026
Verb
-
Local teachers and administrators know the needs of their children best.—
Jemma Stephenson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 May 2026
-
The difficulty isn’t so much with what’s unknown as with what’s known.—
Joshua Rothman,
New Yorker,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
The experience is still going to sell to a lot of people who can afford it—I’m getting the college experience, the frats, the football.—
Jay Caspian Kang,
New Yorker,
12 May 2026
-
Shaina Montiel says her mother stills cries thinking about her harrowing experience with hantavirus at age 5, which, according to the CDC, can have a fatality rate up to 38%, depending on the type of syndrome caused by it.—
Natalie Neysa Alund,
USA Today,
12 May 2026
Adjective
-
An astute judge of talent, Metheny has hired and nurtured a fair number of outstanding musicians in his bands over the years from far and near.—
George Varga,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 May 2026
-
Tactful and politically astute, Pakula had earlier directed The Parallax View, the Warren Beatty thriller about political assassinations.—
Peter Bart,
Deadline,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
When told of his dismissal, Morey was surprised and expressed disappointment but was understanding.—
Tony Jones,
New York Times,
13 May 2026
-
But, ultimately, at the very top, presidents and provosts are going to have to understand that expertise is their mission.—
Jay Caspian Kang,
New Yorker,
12 May 2026
Noun
-
The employees’ union interpreted this initiative as an assault on local and subject-matter expertise.—
E. Tammy Kim,
New Yorker,
7 May 2026
-
Andrée said more than seven in 10 consumers, globally, believe AI usage actually increases their desire for human expertise and creativity.—
David Moin,
Footwear News,
7 May 2026
Adjective
-
But another Cox trade — sending pitcher Doyle Alexander to Detroit for a minor-leaguer named John Smoltz in 1987 — is considered one of the shrewdest in baseball history.—
Mark Bradley for the AJC,
AJC.com,
9 May 2026
-
Twice, its shrewd business practices caught federal regulators’ attention.—
Kenny Jacoby,
USA Today,
7 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Savvy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/savvy. Accessed 14 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
