cleverness

noun

Definition of clevernessnext
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Examples Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for cleverness
  1. ability
  2. skill
  3. creativity
  4. prowess
  5. talent
  6. cunning
  7. imagination
  8. finesse
Noun
  • In 2024, scientists found the largest coral is bigger than a blue whale, how anglerfish became deep-sea denizens and that the ability for life to glow arose in the ocean half a billion years ago.
    Danielle Hall, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Dec. 2024
  • Tenant advocates suffered a big defeat this fall when California voters decided against expanding cities’ ability to limit rent increases.
    CalMatters, The Mercury News, 24 Dec. 2024
Definition of ability
Noun
  • Read more on Negotiation strategies or related topics Negotiating skills, Persuasion, Trustworthiness, Interpersonal skills, Organizational culture, Interpersonal communication and Behavioral science A version of this article appeared in the January–February 2025 issue of Harvard Business Review.
    Harvard Business Review, Harvard Business Review, 21 Dec. 2024
  • But perhaps the most valuable skills for a spy—and anyone genuinely invested in building relationships—is the practice of active listening.
    Jeremy Hurewitz, TIME, 21 Dec. 2024
Definition of skill
Noun
  • From the conversational finesse of chatbots and virtual assistants to the creativity unleashed in personalized content and the power of advanced data analysis, AI is becoming deeply embedded in our lives.
    Debdutta Guha, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024
  • This results in all-too-fleeting dinners capturing a sense of combined creativity.
    Emily Wilson, Bon Appétit, 16 Dec. 2024
Definition of creativity
Noun
  • This jersey retirement is not just a celebration of Clark's on-court prowess but also her enduring influence on the game of basketball.
    Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 19 Dec. 2024
  • The 2018 really stood out for us for its ability to show Rob’s prowess as a rockstar winemaker.
    Mike DeSimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 12 Dec. 2024
Definition of prowess
Noun
  • The Chelsea playmaker is an insouciant talent who takes great pride in discombobulating defences, while the Nottingham Forest man is a wonderful reminder of how classic centre-forward play will never go out of style.
    Rory Smith, The Athletic, 25 Dec. 2024
  • Dicker is one of the many young NFL talents who have impressed Wersching with their precision from long distances.
    Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 24 Dec. 2024
Definition of talent
Noun
  • David slayed the giant with a slingshot; Esther by her cunning saved her people.
    Gwen Faulkenberry, arkansasonline.com, 12 Dec. 2024
  • Over time, guile took on the connotation of deceitful cunning in English, emerging in Middle English around the 12th century.
    Erik Kain, Forbes, 1 Dec. 2024
Definition of cunning
Noun
  • Toys spark imagination, nurture learning, and build self-esteem.
    Noel Burgess, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024
  • They’re meant to inspire creativity and spark imagination.
    Jessica Booth, Parents, 16 Dec. 2024
Definition of imagination
Noun
  • From the conversational finesse of chatbots and virtual assistants to the creativity unleashed in personalized content and the power of advanced data analysis, AI is becoming deeply embedded in our lives.
    Debdutta Guha, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024
  • Peter Thomas Roth Potent-C Power Eye Patches, $65 Best for Dark Circles: Augustinus Bader The Eye Patches, $125 Adding the products to an everyday beauty routine is a no-brainer, but finding the right under-eye patches requires a bit of finesse.
    Kiana Murden, Vogue, 14 Dec. 2024
Definition of finesse
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.

Thesaurus Entries Near cleverness

cleverly

cleverness

cliché

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Cite this Entry

“Cleverness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cleverness. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.

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More from Merriam-Webster on cleverness

Nglish: Translation of cleverness for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of cleverness for Arabic Speakers

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