1
as in ability
mental skill or quickness
it takes real cleverness to find a way around the rules
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
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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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of cleverness
If there’s cleverness to the way Lindsay-Abaire keeps passing the buck of hypocrisy between the members of the neighborhood association, there’s also a pervading sense of decorum that limits how far the satire can go.
—
Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 22 Apr. 2026
The finding speaks to the cleverness of Kea (Nestor notabilis), mountain-dwelling parrots with a reputation for impish intelligence.
—Elizabeth Anne Brown, Scientific American, 20 Apr. 2026
Even so, a little magic has crept into the proceedings, with some brands concealing their cleverness in plain sight and others putting more of the horological art on display.
—Oren Hartov, Robb Report, 14 Apr. 2026
And his creativity and cleverness flashed on some really slick, eyes-in-the-back-of-his-head sequences.
—Scott Wheeler, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2026
The humor spawned by Emma’s confession will strike some as deeply unfunny, while others might uncomfortably chuckle at its cleverness.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2026
Another owner proudly mentioned her Corgi, known for its cleverness and ability to find its way home.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 23 Mar. 2026
But this is where MadEvolve really shines with its cleverness.
—Paul Sutter, Space.com, 22 Mar. 2026
Such is the cleverness of the writing.
—Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026
Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 22 Apr. 2026
The finding speaks to the cleverness of Kea (Nestor notabilis), mountain-dwelling parrots with a reputation for impish intelligence.
—Elizabeth Anne Brown, Scientific American, 20 Apr. 2026
Even so, a little magic has crept into the proceedings, with some brands concealing their cleverness in plain sight and others putting more of the horological art on display.
—Oren Hartov, Robb Report, 14 Apr. 2026
And his creativity and cleverness flashed on some really slick, eyes-in-the-back-of-his-head sequences.
—Scott Wheeler, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2026
The humor spawned by Emma’s confession will strike some as deeply unfunny, while others might uncomfortably chuckle at its cleverness.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2026
Another owner proudly mentioned her Corgi, known for its cleverness and ability to find its way home.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 23 Mar. 2026
But this is where MadEvolve really shines with its cleverness.
—Paul Sutter, Space.com, 22 Mar. 2026
Such is the cleverness of the writing.
—Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cleverness
Noun
-
Your ability to adapt keeps the energy alive.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
3 May 2026
-
Those abilities would make Astier a key contributor in DeMarco’s offense, which is designed to be more structured and feature plenty of floor spacing — areas the team struggled with last season under Sandy Brondello.—
Fiifi Frimpong,
New York Daily News,
2 May 2026
Noun
-
The two-time Mirrorball winner was seen leaping high into the air and showed off her skills by performing a series of tricks including frontflips and backflips.—
Ashley Hume,
FOXNews.com,
7 May 2026
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This will be followed by a final period in Florence to learn the technique and historical evolution of egg tempera, to acquire ancient handweaving skills and expand her knowledge of its applications in the ecclesiastic context.—
Sandra Salibian,
Footwear News,
7 May 2026
Noun
-
The Kings have prioritized defense for most of the past two decades, often playing a sticky, trapping style that doesn’t promote offensive creativity or attack.—
Greg Beacham,
Los Angeles Times,
2 May 2026
-
No experience needed—just bring your creativity.—
Kris Slugg,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 May 2026
Noun
-
For King Charles, the trip will be a test of his diplomatic prowess.—
Karissa Waddick,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
-
There were no lies told about this team’s postseason prowess.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
But without freedom, Berdyaev writes, creativeness is impossible.—
Andrew McDiarmid,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Walter was an accomplished singer and Marian played the piano, but Crenshaw evidently did not inherit a talent for music.—
Kelefa Sanneh,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
-
Even as a young writer, her talent for digging up interesting stats, along with her contagious positivity and love for the game, set her apart in a crowded media landscape.—
Maddie Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
3 May 2026
Noun
-
Maybe the mere fact of having been born illustrious, with no apparent faults, with nothing to prove or to be ashamed of, had liberated John from the resentments the rest of us feel, and from the cunning and ambition such resentments fuel.—
Jeffrey Eugenides,
New Yorker,
4 Apr. 2026
-
The Brazil international combines technical craft with a decisive cunning.—
Carl Anka,
New York Times,
21 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Though Baudelaire was influenced by Poe’s macabre imagination, decadence never developed its own school in nineteenth-century America, then still a young country.—
Olivia Kan-Sperling,
Artforum,
2 May 2026
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Container gardens are easy to create and endlessly rewarding, so let your imagination go wild!—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
2 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cleverness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cleverness. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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