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
Winning franchises differentiate themselves through shrewd drafting on the margins.
—
Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2026
Photograph by Glen Wilson / Lionsgate Fuqua’s low-key approach is both a natural expression of his personality and a shrewd stratagem to reassure people around him that everything is under control.
—Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
A lot of shrewd drafting, a pinch of smart free-agent signings and good coaching hoisted the Broncos from outhouse to penthouse.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 15 Apr. 2026
The Arizona coach’s shrewdest move of the season?
—Jon Wilner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shrewd
Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2026
Photograph by Glen Wilson / Lionsgate Fuqua’s low-key approach is both a natural expression of his personality and a shrewd stratagem to reassure people around him that everything is under control.
—Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
A lot of shrewd drafting, a pinch of smart free-agent signings and good coaching hoisted the Broncos from outhouse to penthouse.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 15 Apr. 2026
The Arizona coach’s shrewdest move of the season?
—Jon Wilner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shrewd
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shrewd
Adjective
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Semi-custom is, of course, cheaper and quicker to build than full bespoke, making a smart, low-stress entry point into yacht ownership.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
2 May 2026
-
Niko Medved is very smart, very clever at using that zone.—
Charley Walters,
Twin Cities,
2 May 2026
Adjective
-
During Chicago’s bitter winter of 2013-2014, the Humboldt Park Lagoon froze over, and snow piled on top of the thick layer of ice, plunging vegetation into a deadly darkness.—
Adriana Pérez,
Chicago Tribune,
4 May 2026
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Blake Lively agreed to settle her retaliation lawsuit against Justin Baldoni’s production company Wayfarer Studios, dodging a trial over the bitter Hollywood feud weeks before it was set to begin and bringing an end to a conflict that has sparked widespread interest for nearly two years.—
Molly Crane-Newman,
New York Daily News,
4 May 2026
Adjective
-
There’s arguably no one better placed to collaborate with VFX artists on a motion-capture performance than Serkis, who’s delivered innocence, cunning, cruelty, longing, and kindness in roles that run from Golum to Caesar to King Kong himself.—
Sarah Shachat,
IndieWire,
4 May 2026
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As Michael moves into solo stardom and makes cunning business moves, the film captures how his seemingly naive idealism was also a form of ambition.—
Spencer Kornhaber,
The Atlantic,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The Flyers' 1-0 Game 6 overtime victory over the Penguins on Wednesday night served as early validation that general manager Danny Briere was astute in orchestrating an overdue rebuild and the payoff was a first playoff series win in a full NHL season since 2012.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
30 Apr. 2026
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Michelle is floating through life until a surprising connection with a high schooler challenges her friendship with her overbearing best friend, in this bitingly astute and exceptionally hilarious satire.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
16 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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To her surprise, Gary loves the idea of getting away from their terrible clients and neighbors, but Orson, who’s lately taken a sharp-right turn to the manosphere, is having none of it.—
Scott Tobias,
Vulture,
3 May 2026
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That moment, however, didn’t come without criticism, and Seymour still remembers the sharp commentary that came as a result of the exaggerated hairstyle.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
3 May 2026
Adjective
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The clothes were cute, though, if not a little costumey.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
1 May 2026
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This adorable cloud pillow shows Harry’s iconic lightning bolt scar and is a seriously cute addition to any fan’s collection of memorabilia.—
Jason Pham,
StyleCaster,
1 May 2026
Adjective
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While the streaming service doesn’t offer a free trial directly, deal-savvy streamers can enjoy free Peacock access through partner subscriptions, including Instacart+ and Walmart+, which both include Peacock Premium in their membership.—
Erin Lassner,
HollywoodReporter,
2 May 2026
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Enter James Madison transfer Alonza Barnett III, a savvy, dangerous dual-threat quarterback who reminds Milton of himself — then and now.—
Edgar Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
2 May 2026
Adjective
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Netflix’s big comedy bet might be the Dan Levy–Rachel Sennott co-creation Big Mistakes; the biting, farcical series about adult siblings who get caught up in the drug business plays like Weeds crossed with The Other Two.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
2 May 2026
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The tracks are more vulnerable, biting, and self-aware than ever, and in some cases, feature lyrics pulled right out of Hjelt’s diary.—
Charisma Madarang,
Rolling Stone,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shrewd.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shrewd. Accessed 9 May. 2026.
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