as in intelligence
exceptional discernment and judgment especially in practical matters
a woman with the thick-skinned shrewdness to survive in a tough business
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Recent Examples of shrewdness
Can the Democrats of 2026 muster equal shrewdness and toughness?
—
David Frum, The Atlantic, 6 June 2026
Humble but strong, philosophical but pragmatic, Kingsley's interpretation of the leader manages to balance both his spirituality and shrewdness, simultaneously demystifying an icon while also adding another layer to the legend.
—Devan Coggan, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Mar. 2026
Venusian shrewdness and Mercurian intelligence are coming together to boost your analytical powers — at least, in regard to your own finances.
—Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Feb. 2026
And Ten Hag’s training ground shrewdness was meant to correct that.
—Carl Anka, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025
David Frum, The Atlantic, 6 June 2026
Humble but strong, philosophical but pragmatic, Kingsley's interpretation of the leader manages to balance both his spirituality and shrewdness, simultaneously demystifying an icon while also adding another layer to the legend.
—Devan Coggan, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Mar. 2026
Venusian shrewdness and Mercurian intelligence are coming together to boost your analytical powers — at least, in regard to your own finances.
—Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Feb. 2026
And Ten Hag’s training ground shrewdness was meant to correct that.
—Carl Anka, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shrewdness
Noun
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The midwife’s hand was a gender-bending invention of the Enlightenment, combining the intelligence and strength of a man’s touch with the sensitive delicacy of a woman’s.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
16 June 2026
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Her fierce intelligence helps paper over some of the screenplay’s rougher transitions, and even lends a measure of legibility to Sylvia’s sudden coldness.—
Natalia Winkelman,
Variety,
16 June 2026
Noun
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There’s depth, there’s wit, there’s ease.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
10 June 2026
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Leaders from across the nation along with friends, coworkers and family from all chapters of longtime representative and politician Barney Frank’s life packed into Faneuil Hall Monday, recalling countless instances of his sharp wit, courage and lifetime of service.—
Grace Zokovitch,
Boston Herald,
8 June 2026
Noun
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Cignetti has tapped into a distinctly Hoosier brand of team pride, which proves that his acumen is just as strong off the football field as on it.—
Domenica Bongiovanni,
IndyStar,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
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These measures can provide insights that go beyond standard tests such as fasting glucose and HbA1c, which reflects average blood glucose over the past two to three months.—
Melissa Rudy,
FOXNews.com,
8 Dec. 2025
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This insight matters because the data shows a clear relationship between resources and reach.—
Maggie Johnson,
Fortune,
8 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shrewdness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shrewdness. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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