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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in bitter
causing intense discomfort to one's skin
she pulled her coat tighter against the shrewd breeze whipping down the alley
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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 shrewd
Over the next 18 years Cleopatra was a shrewd, capable, and popular ruler.
—
Encyclopedia Britannica, 25 Mar. 2026
Senna, whose light satirical touch brought us 2024’s terrific Colored Television, is shrewd on the conundrums unique to parents of color moving around mostly white spaces.
—Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 16 Mar. 2026
Megan Lilly Wilding’s Nova might have been a single-scene oddball in a different show but here develops into a shrewd, tenacious partner in Joyce’s investigation.
—Judy Berman, Time, 11 Mar. 2026
With many needs and little cap space available, Goff’s contract was a logical next step to free up space in a hurry after some notable shrewd moves this offseason.
—Colton Pouncy, New York Times, 11 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shrewd
Encyclopedia Britannica, 25 Mar. 2026
Senna, whose light satirical touch brought us 2024’s terrific Colored Television, is shrewd on the conundrums unique to parents of color moving around mostly white spaces.
—Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 16 Mar. 2026
Megan Lilly Wilding’s Nova might have been a single-scene oddball in a different show but here develops into a shrewd, tenacious partner in Joyce’s investigation.
—Judy Berman, Time, 11 Mar. 2026
With many needs and little cap space available, Goff’s contract was a logical next step to free up space in a hurry after some notable shrewd moves this offseason.
—Colton Pouncy, New York Times, 11 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shrewd
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shrewd
Adjective
-
This smart toaster is designed to evenly toast bagels, bread, waffles and more from edge to edge, delivering a crisp exterior while keeping the inside soft.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
11 Apr. 2026
-
This navy Continental Carry-on Luggage blends durability with smart design details that frequent travelers will appreciate right away.—
Rosie Marder,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Reminders come too with Emmy winner Jim Parsons, who is deliciously over-the-top as Ruth, Rose's bitter and controlling mother.—
Dave Quinn,
PEOPLE,
13 Apr. 2026
-
Gonzales and Herrera had previously been locked in a bitter battle for the Republican nomination for TX-23, advancing to a runoff election after neither candidate received more than 50% of the vote.—
Lauren Peller,
ABC News,
13 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Past friends and former associates described him to me as an exceptionally cunning con man, a consummate charmer, and a womanizer.—
Nate Freeman,
Vanity Fair,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Starring Charlize Theron, Taron Egerton, and Eric Bana, the film was shot on location in the Australian wilderness and features Theron as a grieving woman on a solo adventure who becomes the target of a cunning killer (Egerton) in a twisted game of cat-and-mouse.—
Abid Rahman,
HollywoodReporter,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
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
-
This was, of course, an astute political strategy.—
Andrew Marantz,
New Yorker,
13 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
All that credit goes to the co-creators Marla Mindelle, Constantine Rousouli and director Tye Blue, who have crafted one of the sharpest books Broadway has seen in years.—
Dave Quinn,
PEOPLE,
13 Apr. 2026
-
After that, they’re called thornbacks, a thornback being a bottom-feeding skatelike fish with sharp spikes running along its spine.—
David Sedaris,
New Yorker,
13 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Fly across the world to visit archives and then look at additional pamphlets just because the covers look cute.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Apr. 2026
-
For adventurous travelers who want to look cute in photos but also have a hike, tennis match, or other adventure on the agenda, this pleated skirt is an ideal pick.—
Paris Wilson,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
In 2006, Lamont, fueled by his personal fortune and some savvy political advisers, visited local Democratic party committees and immersed himself in the drudgery of running a statewide campaign.—
Kevin Rennie,
Hartford Courant,
11 Apr. 2026
-
The advent of the internet and slightly savvier audiences has removed much of the mystery surrounding the 1978 film, which purports to be a documentary featuring footage of real human (and animal) deaths.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
10 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Much like the days getting longer and the air less biting, a sure harbinger that spring is coming is the 33rd annual West Suburban Irish St. Patrick’s Day Parade in downtown Naperville.—
Annie Alleman,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Mar. 2026
-
As the nation bonded as one over the past two weeks biting nails, screaming at wins, wincing at crashes and choking up at all the beautiful moments of Olympic competition, another group of athletes were – and still are – out honing their multi-level championship skills.—
Moira McCarthy,
Boston Herald,
25 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shrewd.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shrewd. Accessed 19 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
