1
as in ability
mental skill or quickness
it takes real cleverness to find a way around the rules
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in skill
subtle or imaginative ability in inventing, devising, or executing something
the undeniable cleverness of the negotiator, who managed to get each side to believe that they had won
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in creativity
the skill and imagination to create new things
Cole Porter's overall cleverness with words, including his effortless ability to rhyme and pun
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cleverness
Noun
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At the heart of that debate is a nearly century-old legal precedent: Humphrey’s Executor v. United States, a 1935 Supreme Court ruling that limited the President’s ability to remove leaders of independent agencies without cause.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
17 Apr. 2025 -
Corbell noted the footage shows the objects do not have a wing or tail, raising questions regarding the aircraft’s ability to fly.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
17 Apr. 2025
Noun
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This translates into Jan having to collaborate with many versions of himself that have unique skills and far too many conflicting personalities defined by past events.—
Fran Ruiz,
Space.com,
14 Apr. 2025
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In each episode, the friends bring those skills together to overcome a new challenge as a team.—
Elisabeth Sherman,
Parents,
14 Apr. 2025
Noun
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This experience changed my life and my entire approach to creativity as a designer and an artist.—
Ralph Rucci,
Robb Report,
20 Apr. 2025
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That edge matters—in talent retention, in creativity and in bottom-line performance.—
Ximena Araya-Fischel,
Forbes.com,
19 Apr. 2025
Noun
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With the aggression and height of Wendie Renard on the backline and the goal-scoring prowess of Kadidiatou Diani up front, can the French combine their talents and shoot for more this time around?—
Julia Ranney,
New York Times,
9 Apr. 2025
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This investment in financial technology and digital prowess was a common theme among the 385 financial institutions that made this year’s list of the World’s Best Banks.—
Haniya Rae,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
Noun
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And while there’s some individual talent throughout the roster, the team hasn’t won anything with this core.—
Matthew Fairburn,
New York Times,
19 Apr. 2025
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Nonetheless, because of her intelligence, her artistic talent, and her drive, Yuskavage won scholarships to the Tyler School of Art and Architecture at Temple University in Philadelphia and then to Yale University’s School of Art.—
Tom Teicholz,
Forbes.com,
18 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Despite being outnumbered 50-to-1 by the Five Families of the Italian mafia, the Westies’ legendary brutality and cunning have given them the leverage necessary to share the spoils through a fragile détente.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
18 Mar. 2025
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Noted for his tenacity and cunning, Khamenei is also a man of conviction, and his hatred for the United States is deeply felt.—
Foreign Affairs,
Foreign Affairs,
25 Feb. 2025
Noun
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His idea appeared to be developing content about the club — not dissimilar to the manner in which Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have captured the imagination at Wrexham — and introducing Dagenham & Redbridge to new markets.—
Adam Crafton,
New York Times,
22 Apr. 2025
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Just framing the intention that way will fire up the imagination of your team and set your sails to catch the wind of public opinion.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
21 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Prefer lighter, more aromatic reds with earthiness and finesse?—
Emily Price,
Forbes.com,
16 Apr. 2025
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Devising the tools to fix it could require a degree in public finance, not to mention a talent for political finesse.—
David Greising,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Apr. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Cleverness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cleverness. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.
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