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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Getting Jones in Round 5 in 2022 was a shrewd move, but the Bears need more Day 2 and Day 3 hits.—Brad Biggs, Chicago Tribune, 22 Apr. 2025 Their choice already looks shrewd, with Smith producing a 1.54 ERA in his first two starts.—Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025 John Malone, the shrewd and far-sighted media mogul and key ally of David Zaslav, has decided not to stand for re-election to Warner Bros. Discovery‘s board of directors.—Brent Lang, Variety, 11 Apr. 2025 Unlike Malone’s many shrewd moves over decades in the media business, however, the WBD merger hasn’t yet borne fruit.—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 11 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for shrewd
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