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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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
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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
One or two shrewd tweaks and this offense is the best in football in 2026.
—
Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 10 Dec. 2025
For some, collecting art is a shrewd financial investment, but that’s not how Pérez sees it.
—Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 30 Nov. 2025
That proved a shrewd move with Daniela ultimately connecting with Pitbulls and Addicts, an animal rescue based in Staten Island, that volunteered to take the dog.
—Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2025
She’s made a shrewd choice of storyteller.
—Jocelyn Noveck, Boston Herald, 26 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shrewd
Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 10 Dec. 2025
For some, collecting art is a shrewd financial investment, but that’s not how Pérez sees it.
—Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 30 Nov. 2025
That proved a shrewd move with Daniela ultimately connecting with Pitbulls and Addicts, an animal rescue based in Staten Island, that volunteered to take the dog.
—Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2025
She’s made a shrewd choice of storyteller.
—Jocelyn Noveck, Boston Herald, 26 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shrewd
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shrewd
Adjective
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An elastic waistband stays comfortable for hours, making this a smart pick for long flights or full travel days.—
Rosie Marder,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Jan. 2026
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There are smart-looking couples in the mix, too, snagging a romantic getaway in the heart of Austin—near live music, bars, and restaurants and just 10 miles from the airport.—
Kathryn Streeter,
Condé Nast Traveler,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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He was chosen as commissioner in October 1989 over New Orleans general manager Jim Finks after a bitter fight highlighting the differences between the NFL's old guard and newer owners.—
NPR,
NPR,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Arugula Arugula is an aromatic, slightly bitter leafy green.—
Lauren O'Connor,
Health,
9 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Fueled by vengeance and cunning ambition, Ashur rises from betrayal and bloodshed to seize power, gouging out a place for the House of Ashur in a new arena full of violence, desire, and twisted loyalty.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
30 Oct. 2025
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The elaborate scheme, masterminded by members of four Mafia families in collusion with celebrity athletes, ensnared unsuspecting victims, bleeding them of over $7 million through cunning deception, prosecutors said in the indictment.—
Alaa Elassar,
CNN Money,
27 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The champion of deregulation here embraced radical regulation, in a way that served his interests as a homeowner but was also politically astute.—
Ian Parker,
New Yorker,
22 Dec. 2025
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And perhaps Disney’s deal with OpenAI will prove prescient and astute.—
Alexei Oreskovic,
Fortune,
12 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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The numbers mark a sharp reversal from a spike in violence during the worst years of the COVID-19 pandemic.—
Shomik Mukherjee,
Mercury News,
8 Jan. 2026
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The blazer of Middleton’s look included sharp shoulders with sinuous lapels and angular pockets at the waist.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Fall travel season is here, and my suitcase is officially in its comfy-but-cute era.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Nov. 2025
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Shoppers call out the cute and functional design.—
Kim Grundy,
PEOPLE,
8 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Jackson, who signed on to represent Nick a day after his arrest, is one of the most prominent lawyers in the country — a savvy criminal defense attorney who previously represented Harvey Weinstein, Kevin Spacey and Karen Read.—
Winston Cho,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Jan. 2026
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Amazon is packed with smart, savvy, and budget-friendly storage and organization finds that can effortlessly transform every room of your home without breaking the bank.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
6 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Morbidly Jewish finds Raanan at his most biting, acerbic, angry, Jewish, and, as always…loud.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
5 Jan. 2026
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The conservative activist’s 42-minute video posted the day after Christmas quickly spread, prompting stepped up immigration enforcement, frozen federal funds and more biting rhetoric against the Somali community from President Donald Trump.—
Rebekah Riess,
CNN Money,
2 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shrewd.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shrewd. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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