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
To the world, Seema is a shrewd real estate broker.
—
Lisa Stardust, People.com, 28 May 2025
Wonderfully surreal, completely original, and frequently hilarious, La Máquina — which also stars Eiza González (3 Body Problem) as Eduardo’s shrewd ex-wife, Irasema — packs a powerful punch.
—Ew Staff, EW.com, 22 May 2025
When Bluhdorn died suddenly, in 1983, Martin Davis—who had helped engineer Paramount’s sale to Gulf + Western back in 1966 and had risen through the ranks as Bluhdorn’s shrewdest lieutenant—took over the company.
—Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 19 May 2025
And the Knicks have taken advantage by making shrewd move after shrewd move, acquiring two-way wings such as Bridges and OG Anunoby, while trading Randle and guard Donte DiVincenzo for All-Star big man Karl-Anthony Towns before the season.
—Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 18 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for shrewd
Lisa Stardust, People.com, 28 May 2025
Wonderfully surreal, completely original, and frequently hilarious, La Máquina — which also stars Eiza González (3 Body Problem) as Eduardo’s shrewd ex-wife, Irasema — packs a powerful punch.
—Ew Staff, EW.com, 22 May 2025
When Bluhdorn died suddenly, in 1983, Martin Davis—who had helped engineer Paramount’s sale to Gulf + Western back in 1966 and had risen through the ranks as Bluhdorn’s shrewdest lieutenant—took over the company.
—Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 19 May 2025
And the Knicks have taken advantage by making shrewd move after shrewd move, acquiring two-way wings such as Bridges and OG Anunoby, while trading Randle and guard Donte DiVincenzo for All-Star big man Karl-Anthony Towns before the season.
—Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 18 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for shrewd
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shrewd
Adjective
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Right now, Meta pretty much owns the smart glasses space and these specs could help cement that leadership.—
David Phelan,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2025
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He’s evaluated everything from TVs and soundbars to smart gadgets and wearables, ...—
Parker Hall,
Wired News,
21 June 2025
Adjective
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Lips can get a bit of color too, via RMS Beauty’s Legendary Lip Oil packed with adaptogenic herbs, jojoba oil, vanilla extract, and bitter cherry seed oil to condition the pout.—
Kiana Murden,
Vogue,
16 June 2025
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But the fascination of the early days was gone, and more often than not their time together devolved into bitter spats.—
Mark Polizzoti
June 16,
Literary Hub,
16 June 2025
Adjective
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Particularly cunning or politically convenient women have infrequently maneuvered into the halls of power, but these female monarchs have served mostly as short detours during times when a male crown prince was either too young or too weak to stand on his own.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
The Washington Examiner,
8 June 2025
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Anderson stands the original on its head: grooming Liesl as a successor, Zsa-zsa introduces her to a world where cunning and force hold sway.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
29 May 2025
Adjective
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The 51-year-old is widely considered one of the most astute tacticians in the Premier League and has been the figurehead of one of the smartest, shrewdest clubs anywhere in European soccer for the last seven years.—
Graham Ruthven,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2025
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It should be noted that Bouchard was an astute draft selection by Chiarelli and his scouts in 2018.—
Allan Mitchell,
New York Times,
31 May 2025
Adjective
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The withdrawal, and the chaos that accompanied it, drew sharp criticism from many Americans.—
Mandy Taheri,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 June 2025
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And then there’s the funny, sharp and deeply ironic montages of Lucy’s clients.—
Abigail Lee,
Variety,
14 June 2025
Adjective
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Plus, a slight slit in the legs adds a cute and playful touch.—
Jacquelyn Smith,
Parents,
13 June 2025
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To achieve that look, make sure your capsule wardrobe has a solid, multifunctional layer like the Madewell crochet vest tank that can be worn on top of a cute boxy T-shirt, and also by itself.—
Riana Singh,
Travel + Leisure,
13 June 2025
Adjective
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Our team of savvy editors independently handpicks all recommendations.—
Fernando Cervantes Jr,
USA Today,
21 June 2025
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The irony of contrast to the former inhabitants’ austere lifestyle, renouncing worldly goods, surely wouldn’t be lost on the savvy guests.—
Beth Landman,
HollywoodReporter,
21 June 2025
Adjective
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As always, Danan’s voice is hysterically funny, her characters’ exhibiting a wry and biting sense of humor.—
Maureen Lee Lenker,
EW.com,
19 May 2025
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Fey’s writing usually has a reputation of being more on the biting or sardonic side, but The Four Seasons trades out the eye rolls for loving looks (mostly).—
Tom Smyth,
Vulture,
15 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shrewd.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shrewd. Accessed 26 Jun. 2025.
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