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
Still, backup goalkeeper Marco Bizot, signed for less than a million pounds, and defender Victor Lindelof, a free agent after leaving Manchester United, have proven shrewd acquisitions, while Jadon Sancho is improving on loan from the latter.
—
Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2026
But those picks came in the shrewd trade of quarterback Russell Wilson to Denver.
—Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 10 Feb. 2026
Those numbers are a result of both Buffett’s shrewd calls on stocks that ended up being undervalued, as well as recent policy changes in Japan, including widespread corporate governance reform and new pro-growth government rules and spending that have benefited technology companies.
—Tristan Bove, Fortune, 10 Feb. 2026
But shrewd moves by a commissioner who heeded the lessons of realignment created a path to salvation.
—Jon Wilner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shrewd
Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2026
But those picks came in the shrewd trade of quarterback Russell Wilson to Denver.
—Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 10 Feb. 2026
Those numbers are a result of both Buffett’s shrewd calls on stocks that ended up being undervalued, as well as recent policy changes in Japan, including widespread corporate governance reform and new pro-growth government rules and spending that have benefited technology companies.
—Tristan Bove, Fortune, 10 Feb. 2026
But shrewd moves by a commissioner who heeded the lessons of realignment created a path to salvation.
—Jon Wilner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shrewd
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shrewd
Adjective
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Operations are fully paperless, a NORDAQ filtration system eliminates single-use plastic water bottles, and smart climate control throughout helps curb energy usage.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Feb. 2026
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Txhoihf Door Draft Stopper A door draft stopper is a smart home pick that can help lower heating and cooling costs by keeping warmth inside during cold months and the AC inside during summer.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
21 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The bitter taste discourages some animals, and others are put off by the smell.—
Joan Morris,
Mercury News,
23 Feb. 2026
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The unfolding Mandelson scandal threatened to topple Starmer’s premiership, with the bitter fallout leading to the resignations of key advisers and growing calls from senior Labour Party figures for the British prime minister to step down.—
Peter Wilkinson,
CNN Money,
23 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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While people born in the year of the snake are seen as charismatic, intelligent, and artistic, they are also often considered cunning and mysterious.—
Saman Shafiq,
USA Today,
16 Feb. 2026
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And Halston has a cunning plan.—
Kaycee Sloan,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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In a ruse that, for lack of a more astute reference point here, feels very Don Draper-coded, Rose poses as the dear male soldier who died next to her in battle, figuring why waste the deeds to perfectly decent land, or his name.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
17 Feb. 2026
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All this is strange and disappointing, because Holmes is a gifted biographer, not to mention a fluent translator of science and an astute reader of poetry.—
Kathryn Schulz,
New Yorker,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Use clean, sharp pruners to cut a smooth edge right above a living bud, lateral branch, or along the trunk where there is a ragged break.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
22 Feb. 2026
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Coupled with a sharp slowdown in the labor market, a massive voter revolt is gaining momentum heading into this year’s midterm elections.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
22 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Score top wardrobe picks like an everyday V-neck tee ($9), memory foam fuzzy slippers ($6), and an effortlessly cute workout skirt ($8).—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
21 Feb. 2026
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Yes, that innocent activity at which your grandparents might’ve met cute – square dancing – is having a moment here in the Bay Area.—
John Metcalfe,
Mercury News,
21 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The beauty and vibrancy of drag balls speak for themselves, but Livingston is also savvy enough to understand how those events intersect with the political and social realities of the time.—
Eric Farwell,
Entertainment Weekly,
21 Feb. 2026
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The Grizzlies have won 13 in a row, swept District 25-5A and feature savvy and talented veterans in Dallas Hernandez and Orden Roberts.—
Colby Gordon,
Austin American Statesman,
21 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The Chill Factor Perhaps the most biting statistic of the season so far is the temperature.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
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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
Cite this Entry
“Shrewd.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shrewd. Accessed 28 Feb. 2026.
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