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as in intelligent
having or showing quickness of mind a clever student figured out a trick to do the assignment faster

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective clever differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of clever are adroit, cunning, and ingenious. While all these words mean "having or showing practical wit or skill in contriving," clever stresses physical or mental quickness, deftness, or great aptitude.

a person clever with horses

When might adroit be a better fit than clever?

The words adroit and clever can be used in similar contexts, but adroit often implies a skillful use of expedients to achieve one's purpose in spite of difficulties.

an adroit negotiator

Where would cunning be a reasonable alternative to clever?

The meanings of cunning and clever largely overlap; however, cunning implies great skill in constructing or creating.

a filmmaker cunning in his use of special effects

When is it sensible to use ingenious instead of clever?

While the synonyms ingenious and clever are close in meaning, ingenious suggests the power of inventing or discovering a new way of accomplishing something.

an ingenious software engineer

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of clever Some demonstrators waved American flags and held cardboard signs with clever slogans. John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Apr. 2025 Meanwhile, the Lakehouse, now led by Michelin two-star Chef Kanji Kobayashi, presents a clever east-meets-west spin—his Nikko-egg carbonara could convert any fusion skeptic. Paul Jebara, Travel + Leisure, 6 Apr. 2025 Here are 12 clever ways to use wax paper both in and out of the kitchen. Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 6 Apr. 2025 But Scott has the power of love on his side (though the power of self-respect would serve him better) and, like many an underdog, relies more on clever trickery than physical prowess to win most of the battles. Ew Staff, EW.com, 3 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for clever
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clever
Adjective
  • Conservation groups say the spill catalyzed innovative restoration work across the Gulf Coast, but are alarmed at the recent halt of a flagship land-creation project in Louisiana.
    Jack Brook, Los Angeles Times, 21 Apr. 2025
  • Serving on the Ralph Lowe Energy Institute board has reinforced my dedication to resource management and exploring innovative and sustainable solutions.
    Kate Marijolovic, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Untangling a relationship with SpaceX Some of the most intelligent questions came from US Sen. Andy Kim, D-New Jersey.
    Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 9 Apr. 2025
  • As generative AI continues to mature, the convergence of language models with mechanical design and control optimization points toward a future of mass customization and intelligent automation, where commanding a robot may be as simple as describing it.
    Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • With time, cunning, and no irony, the Shuberts slew the Syndicate Goliath and built a monopolistic empire of their own that Justice Department lawyers would decades later force into an antitrust settlement.
    Frank Rich, Vulture, 8 Apr. 2025
  • The mean girl, as we’ve been taught to recognize her, is cunning and charismatic.
    Shelby Stewart, Essence, 8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Britt Lower, Patricia Arquette, and Christopher Walken co-star in this incredibly smart and witty sci-fi drama.
    Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Heckerling's 1995 film, a loose adaptation of Jane Austen's witty novel of young love, Emma, centers on Silverstone's sunny, good-hearted, yet at times slightly daft heroine.
    Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Over the course of his three decade-spanning career from the 1950s through 1980s, Krause has designed sets for over 180 productions, earning acclaim for his inventive and elegant visual style.
    Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 13 Apr. 2025
  • Loewe may be entering a new chapter, but the house’s commitment to supporting the work of the world’s most accomplished and inventive craftspeople isn’t showing any signs of wavering.
    Liam Hess, Vogue, 11 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • His novel Blindsight is a remarkably imaginative and thoughtful book, if also utterly terrifying.
    Ollie Barder, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
  • For a wildly imaginative world-building project, the film is mostly ghastly to look at, all flat green-screen and blocky sets for the cast to scramble upon.
    Katie Walsh, Boston Herald, 3 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The style is a challenge: should their comedy be smart and savvy or broad and easy-going?
    Ben Travers, IndieWire, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Light enough to layer over tights or leggings in colder weather, these pants are a smart choice for sightseeing or hiking in rainy conditions, but they can easily be dressed up with a cute blouse or blazer.
    Gabrielle Porcaro, Travel + Leisure, 9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The off-beat ads and humorous posters have only stoked fan conversation about what, exactly, this project is and what on earth is going on with the asterisk in the title.
    Eliana Dockterman, Time, 17 Apr. 2025
  • Early implementations have experienced technical glitches, such as those occasionally seen in MLB's 3D broadcasts, which sometimes led to humorous but unintended visual effects.
    Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report, FOXNews.com, 17 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Clever.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clever. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.

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