shrewd stresses practical, hardheaded cleverness and judgment.
a shrewd judge of character
sagacious suggests wisdom, penetration, and farsightedness.
sagacious investors got in on the ground floor
perspicacious implies unusual power to see through and understand what is puzzling or hidden.
a perspicacious counselor saw through the child's facade
astute suggests shrewdness, perspicacity, and diplomatic skill.
an astute player of party politics
Examples of shrewd in a Sentence
According to Frank Luntz, Republican pollster and spinmeister, these younger working women with small children are critical swing voters. By dint of focus groups and shrewd professional questioning, Luntz has determined what these women need most—more time in their lives. He seemed to regard this finding as a considerable coup.—Molly Ivins, Mother Jones, September/October 2004When Ann Richards fractured her hand in a fall nine years ago, she went to the doctor for a bone density test only to learn that she had … an early form of osteoporosis. The diagnosis spurred the former Texas governor, whose mother and grandmother also suffered from the disease, to write I'm Not Slowing Down: Winning My Battle with Osteoporosis … an inspiring little volume filled with the author's shrewd insights into healthcare, gender and, yes, politics.—Julie Hale, Book Page, August 2003One shrewd political tactician who knew what it was like to lose a close election watched Goldwater closely. Nixon had an eye on a comeback in 1968 and knew he needed the South—all of it this time.—Jon Meacham, Newsweek, 23 Dec. 2002But a growing empire produces tough challenges. Winfrey is used to ironclad control. A shrewd businesswoman, she still signs all the checks of more than $1,000 for her Harpo Entertainment Group, and she meticulously scrutinizes the smaller ones that others sign for her.—Lynette Clemetson, Newsweek, 8 Jan. 2001
She's shrewd about her investments.
a shrewd used car dealer who knew how to make the best possible deal
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The deadline day signing of Kolo Muani was a shrewd move to give him another option.—James McNicholas, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025 Craig has played shrewd detective Blanc in 2019’s Knives Out and 2022’s Glass Onion.—Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025 Chicago made a shrewd move to get him in 2024.—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2025 Shrek 2 took everything audiences loved about the first movie and amplified it, from the absurdist takes on fairy tale legends to its shrewd deployment of pop culture iconography.—Skyler Trepel September 1, EW.com, 1 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for shrewd
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