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shrewd

Q: How does the adjective 'shrewd' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of shrewd are astute , perspicacious , and sagacious . While all these words mean "acute in perception and sound in judgment," shrewd stresses practical, hardheaded cleverness and judgment. // a shrewd judge of character

Q: When is it sensible to use 'astute' instead of 'shrewd'?

While the synonyms astute and shrewd are close in meaning, astute suggests shrewdness, perspicacity, and diplomatic skill. // an astute player of party politics

Q: When could 'perspicacious' be used to replace 'shrewd'?

The meanings of perspicacious and shrewd largely overlap; however, perspicacious implies unusual power to see through and understand what is puzzling or hidden. // a perspicacious counselor saw through the child's facade

Q: When might 'sagacious' be a better fit than 'shrewd'?

While in some cases nearly identical to shrewd , sagacious suggests wisdom, penetration, and farsightedness. // sagacious investors got in on the ground floor

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Synonyms & Antonyms of shrewd

1 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

Synonyms for shrewd

Words Related to shrewd

artful,
cagey
(also cagy),
crafty,
cunning,
devious,
dodgy
[chiefly British],
foxy,
guileful,
pawky
[chiefly British],
slick,
sly,
subtle,
tricky,
wily

Near Antonyms for shrewd

Antonyms for shrewd

unknowing

2 causing intense discomfort to one's skin

she pulled her coat tighter against the shrewd breeze whipping down the alley

Synonyms for shrewd

Words Related to shrewd

caustic,
corrosive

Near Antonyms for shrewd

3 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

Synonyms for shrewd

artful,
beguiling,
cagey
(also cagy),
crafty,
cunning,
cute,
designing,
devious,
dodgy
[chiefly British],
foxy,
guileful,
scheming,
slick,
sly,
subtle,
tricky,
wily

Words Related to shrewd

Near Antonyms for shrewd

unforced,
unstudied

trustful,
trusting

Antonyms for shrewd

Frequently Asked Questions About shrewd

How does the adjective shrewd differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of shrewd are astute, perspicacious, and sagacious. While all these words mean "acute in perception and sound in judgment," shrewd stresses practical, hardheaded cleverness and judgment.

a shrewd judge of character

When is it sensible to use astute instead of shrewd?

While the synonyms astute and shrewd are close in meaning, astute suggests shrewdness, perspicacity, and diplomatic skill.

an astute player of party politics

When could perspicacious be used to replace shrewd?

The meanings of perspicacious and shrewd largely overlap; however, perspicacious implies unusual power to see through and understand what is puzzling or hidden.

a perspicacious counselor saw through the child's facade