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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of shrewd
But a lot of this rebranding is the direct result of James Daunt’s (formerly of Daunt Books) shrewd PR work.
—
Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2025
The adorable dog breed from northern Italy also happens to be a shrewd hunter—of truffles, that is.
—Nicholas Derenzo, AFAR Media, 16 Sep. 2025
Stephen Kolek pitches well again The Royals made a shrewd move by acquiring starting pitchers Ryan Bergert and Stephen Kolek from the San Diego Padres at the trade deadline.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 12 Sep. 2025
Imagine what a shrewd, wheeler-dealer type could do with the Pirates.
—Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shrewd
Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2025
The adorable dog breed from northern Italy also happens to be a shrewd hunter—of truffles, that is.
—Nicholas Derenzo, AFAR Media, 16 Sep. 2025
Stephen Kolek pitches well again The Royals made a shrewd move by acquiring starting pitchers Ryan Bergert and Stephen Kolek from the San Diego Padres at the trade deadline.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 12 Sep. 2025
Imagine what a shrewd, wheeler-dealer type could do with the Pirates.
—Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shrewd
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shrewd
Adjective
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Now, in a bid to address the issue, the researchers created a smart measurement and analysis system that can monitor the condition of the asphalt base layer nondestructively over a large area.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
1 Oct. 2025
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As with other home improvement supplies, retaining current paint colors is smart in case walls need touchups or a fresh coat.—
Mary Cornetta,
Better Homes & Gardens,
1 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,
27 Sep. 2025
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The story of the bitter conflict ripping Loving County apart is inseparable from its history, one of hardship, survival, and ties to an unforgiving place that are born deep inside a person’s bones like marrow.—
Mitch Moxley,
Rolling Stone,
27 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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These subsidies were cunning, part of a decades-long effort to keep alive the myths that offshore wind energy is nearly self-sufficient and generates increasingly inexpensive electricity.—
Craig Rucker,
Boston Herald,
26 Sep. 2025
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However, her inner voice reveals a sardonic sense of humor, cunning intellect, and keen eye for details most people would miss… because Emily has a big secret.—
Emlyn Travis,
Entertainment Weekly,
17 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The odd, sometimes astute connections and ideas her seemingly new brain forms are not entirely unpleasant.—
Bekah Waalkes,
The Atlantic,
25 Sep. 2025
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The other, more astute comparison might be to another game Kojima co-produced with legendary horror director Guillermo del Toro.—
Brian Welk,
IndieWire,
23 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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To watch Lipe-Smith’s Caroline cuddle in bed watching TV on her iPad, or bopping around to JoJo Siwa, or pensively finishing a Popsicle while sitting beside her grandmother at a museum, is to have the sheer malevolence of our current administration and its adherents thrown into sharp relief.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
1 Oct. 2025
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But Sport mode was always selected soon after, which, besides adding rev-match downshifts and turning off auto stop/start, adds sharp exhaust tones to its deep-bass-induction soundtrack.—
Peter Nelson,
Robb Report,
1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Rumors about the Only Murders in the Building star's nuptials with Benny Blanco being this weekend turned out to be 100-percent true, and as soon as a few beautiful photos of the cute couple were green-lighted to be shared with the eager public, fans were double-tapping with tears in their eyes.—
Marci Robin,
Allure,
27 Sep. 2025
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The set comes in moody neutrals like gray, indigo, cream, and white, and even arrives in a cute storage tote.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
27 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Golbin noted that even back then, designers were savvy about creating buzz with events staged in off-the-map venues, interviews with foreign press and destination shows.—
Joelle Diderich,
Footwear News,
30 Sep. 2025
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Like other consumer health startups—from Oura to Prenuvo—BeSound aims to reach the savvy consumer who is eager to take their health into their own hands.—
Emma Hinchliffe,
Fortune,
30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The characters have this sharp, biting, British humor.—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
28 Aug. 2025
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There’s Bud the biting cat, played by a feline named Tonic and who deserves a three-picture deal.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
28 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shrewd.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shrewd. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.
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