Synonyms
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 2004
When 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 2003
One 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. 2002
But 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
Molly Ivins, Mother Jones, September/October 2004
When 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 2003
One 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. 2002
But 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
Recent Examples on the Web
The proposal was met with a mixed reaction — while some dismissed it as outlandish, others saw it as a shrewd geopolitical move.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 30 Jan. 2025
Netanyahu used his relationship with Russia to his advantage domestically, touting his close ties with Putin in his 2019 election campaign to demonstrate his credentials as a shrewd actor on the global stage.
—Nicole Grajewski, Foreign Affairs, 28 Jan. 2025
Following the lead set by Terrence McNally, who wrote the book of the musical, Condon is shrewd not to overexplain the pair’s relationship.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 27 Jan. 2025
If Trump lost McConnell on Hegseth, there is reason to think other Republican lawmakers might now look around and find good—and shrewd—company in the polite opposition.
—Philip Elliott, TIME, 27 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for shrewd 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 30 Jan. 2025
Netanyahu used his relationship with Russia to his advantage domestically, touting his close ties with Putin in his 2019 election campaign to demonstrate his credentials as a shrewd actor on the global stage.
—Nicole Grajewski, Foreign Affairs, 28 Jan. 2025
Following the lead set by Terrence McNally, who wrote the book of the musical, Condon is shrewd not to overexplain the pair’s relationship.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 27 Jan. 2025
If Trump lost McConnell on Hegseth, there is reason to think other Republican lawmakers might now look around and find good—and shrewd—company in the polite opposition.
—Philip Elliott, TIME, 27 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for shrewd
Dictionary Entries Near shrewd
Cite this Entry
“Shrewd.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shrewd. Accessed 3 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share