1
as in smart
having or showing a practical cleverness or judgment
a shrewd used car dealer who knew how to make the best possible deal shrewd investments that paid off big
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2
as in bitter
causing intense discomfort to one's skin
she pulled her coat tighter against the shrewd breeze whipping down the alley
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3
as in cunning
clever at attaining one's ends by indirect and often deceptive means
a shrewd operator in the real estate game, she made every buyer think they were getting the deal of the century
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Recent Examples of shrewd
All three signings have already proven shrewd and worthwhile, with United still undefeated in the WSL and just two points off leaders Chelsea.
—
Megan Feringa, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
Little is known about Agnes, but she's portrayed as a sharp and shrewd matriarch by Dervla Kirwan in House of Guinness.
—Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 27 Sep. 2025
Don't miss these So many of the 2025 Milwaukee Brewers were acquired in shrewd trades.
—Jr Radcliffe, jsonline.com, 26 Sep. 2025
Parallel to this moment, Freddy Sodawallah (Manish Chaudhari), the seasoned and shrewd Bollywood producer who has been managing Aasmaan’s early career, and Jaraj Saxena (Rajat Bedi), a fading actor desperate for a comeback, investigate the truth on their own.
—Isadora Wandermurem, Time, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shrewd
Megan Feringa, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
Little is known about Agnes, but she's portrayed as a sharp and shrewd matriarch by Dervla Kirwan in House of Guinness.
—Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 27 Sep. 2025
Don't miss these So many of the 2025 Milwaukee Brewers were acquired in shrewd trades.
—Jr Radcliffe, jsonline.com, 26 Sep. 2025
Parallel to this moment, Freddy Sodawallah (Manish Chaudhari), the seasoned and shrewd Bollywood producer who has been managing Aasmaan’s early career, and Jaraj Saxena (Rajat Bedi), a fading actor desperate for a comeback, investigate the truth on their own.
—Isadora Wandermurem, Time, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shrewd
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shrewd
Adjective
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Marisol Quilt Crafted from 100% cotton, Pottery Barn’s Marisol Quilt is a smart and stylish bedding option for the fall.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
30 Oct. 2025
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Bagsmart Tech Organizer Nothing feels messier than cords tangled at the bottom of your bag mid-travel day, which is why this smart tech organizer never leaves my suitcase.—
Samantha Leal,
Travel + Leisure,
29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Remove a thin piece of peel from a lemon (for rye) or orange (for bourbon), getting as little of the bitter white pith as possible; hold the peel between your fingers with the outside facing the top of the drink and pinch slightly to express the citrus oils over the top.—
Jeremy Repanich,
Robb Report,
25 Oct. 2025
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Washington State is back on home soil for the first time in more than a month, having been on the road since suffering a heavy defeat to bitter rival Washington in the Apple Cup back in September.—
Kilty Cleary,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Michelle is more cunning, figuring out how to play these two to her whims, while Teddy struggles to prove her extraterrestrial origins.—
Katie Walsh,
Twin Cities,
24 Oct. 2025
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Your words can be sharp and cunning today.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
20 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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But astute viewers will see some other familiar, and perhaps surprising, rock ‘n’ roll faces in the production.—
Gary Graff,
Billboard,
25 Oct. 2025
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Senne Lammens continuing his composed start to his United career could at least counteract those types of chances for Brighton, while Amorim’s defenders will need to be astute to the movement of Hurzeler’s front-line.—
Laurie Whitwell,
New York Times,
23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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In general, acting quickly is key since the pain can be sharp and overwhelming within the first few seconds.—
Taryn White,
Travel + Leisure,
29 Oct. 2025
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The negligible homicide case is seen through the strongest of microscopes, bringing flashbacks of the backstory into sharp focus as questions about faith and the human psyche soon arise.—
Michael Lee Simpson,
Entertainment Weekly,
29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Mankinlu Maple Leaf Solar Pathway Lights As daylight starts to fade earlier, these cute pathway lights add both charm and function to your yard.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
25 Oct. 2025
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The easiest fix for the age-old struggle between cute and comfy?—
Mia Huelsbeck,
PEOPLE,
25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Our team of savvy editors independently handpicks all recommendations.—
Saman Shafiq,
USA Today,
28 Oct. 2025
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Our team of savvy editors independently handpicks all recommendations.—
Jenny Porter Tilley,
IndyStar,
27 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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But usually the administration official doesn’t fight back in such a biting way.—
David Lightman,
Sacbee.com,
7 Oct. 2025
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Over nearly three decades, Baumbach has built a career chronicling families in crisis and artists at the crossroads, his films combining biting wit with an unflinching emotional honesty.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shrewd.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shrewd. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.
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