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
Yet Lincoln proved to be a shrewd strategist, presenting himself as an acceptable and more moderate alternative to a divided convention and capturing the nomination on the third ballot.
—
Michael Peregrine, Chicago Tribune, 18 May 2025
This isn’t protectionism but simply a shrewd and legal (per the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade) strategic move to put American companies and workers first.
—Stephen Moore, Boston Herald, 14 May 2025
Through partnerships with Amazon and Volkswagen Group, strategic government assistance and shrewd manufacturing practices, Rivian is beating the odds.
—Eileen Falkenberg-Hull, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Apr. 2025
Roseman had obtained the 10th pick via shrewd trades, then traded up one spot to get Carter.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shrewd
Michael Peregrine, Chicago Tribune, 18 May 2025
This isn’t protectionism but simply a shrewd and legal (per the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade) strategic move to put American companies and workers first.
—Stephen Moore, Boston Herald, 14 May 2025
Through partnerships with Amazon and Volkswagen Group, strategic government assistance and shrewd manufacturing practices, Rivian is beating the odds.
—Eileen Falkenberg-Hull, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Apr. 2025
Roseman had obtained the 10th pick via shrewd trades, then traded up one spot to get Carter.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shrewd
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shrewd
Adjective
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My family doctor sometimes gets me good care through sub-specialists — few actual doctors, but nonetheless smart people.—
Charles Hammer,
Kansas City Star,
28 May 2025
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Ushering In The Electrification Era Technologies enabling smart renewable energy solutions, reliable battery-management systems and sustainable manufacturing practices are central to our electricity infrastructure.—
Henrik Mannesson,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2025
Adjective
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Still, Levi isn’t bitter and blames the reporter for trying to use Gunn to publicly shame him.—
Tatiana Siegel,
Variety,
22 May 2025
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Where Silverman radically departs from Strindberg’s bitter play is in their portrait of Tekla, who is a spikily delightful self-starter instead of the idiot-monster of the original.—
Helen Shaw,
New Yorker,
22 May 2025
Adjective
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McLaren’s Piastri began in pole position and initially held off Verstappen before the Dutchman displayed all the brilliance, cunning and bravery that has propelled him to four world championships, holding off the brakes as long as possible and sliding around the outside on the first turn.—
Issy Ronald,
CNN Money,
18 May 2025
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Unfortunately, Porsha isn’t cunning enough for this to work.—
Ile-Ife Okantah,
Vulture,
12 May 2025
Adjective
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The people that farm or garden are very interesting, very resourceful, very astute.—
Greg Allen,
NPR,
1 June 2025
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Patti LuPone, fresh off the set of And Just Like That…, has caused an internet kerfuffle with her astute (and deliciously eloquent) jabs at costars, former lovers, theatergoers, and even Times Square pedestrians in her recent profile in The New Yorker.—
Raven Smith,
Vogue,
28 May 2025
Adjective
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His equaliser against Leganes in March was a perfect example, with Bellingham sharpest to react when a shot cannoned off the crossbar.—
Mario Cortegana,
New York Times,
22 May 2025
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The conflict over Huawei’s most advanced chips serves as a reality check that despite the positive words shared by US and Chinese negotiators last week, there are still sharp differences between the two sides on a variety of subjects that may be difficult to bridge.—
Nectar Gan,
CNN Money,
21 May 2025
Adjective
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The knotted fabric straps have an elevated look, making these cute enough to wear with your favorite sundresses and skirts.—
Amelia McBride,
Travel + Leisure,
1 June 2025
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Shows can only be so cute or funny or familiar or fresh.—
Maureen Lee Lenker,
EW.com,
28 May 2025
Adjective
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Five Strategic Lessons For A CMO’s Met Gala Playbook The Met Gala is a little bit celebrity pageantry, and a lot of savvy marketing built on smart, long-game cultural fluency.—
Lilian Raji,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2025
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Machado is among the league’s savviest baserunners.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 May 2025
Adjective
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But when Afrikaners began to take a serious interest in Mr. Trump’s refugee program, the biting remarks were unleashed.—
Zimasa Matiwane,
New York Times,
22 May 2025
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Katy Perry is continuing to catch strays, this time from the most biting demographic of all: the pop girlie fandom.—
Jessica Wang,
EW.com,
2 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shrewd.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shrewd. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.
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