CUNNING Synonyms: 317 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'cunning' distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of cunning are artful , crafty , foxy , slick , sly , tricky , and wily . While all these words mean "attaining or seeking to attain one's ends by guileful or devious means," cunning suggests the inventive use of sometimes limited intelligence in overreaching or circumventing. // the cunning fox avoided the trap

Q: In what contexts can 'artful' take the place of 'cunning'?

While in some cases nearly identical to cunning , artful implies indirectness in dealing and often connotes sophistication or cleverness. // elicited the information by artful questioning

Q: Where would 'crafty' be a reasonable alternative to 'cunning'?

The synonyms crafty and cunning are sometimes interchangeable, but crafty implies cleverness and subtlety of method. // a crafty lefthander

Q: When is it sensible to use 'foxy' instead of 'cunning'?

The words foxy and cunning can be used in similar contexts, but foxy implies a shrewd and wary craftiness usually involving devious dealing. // a foxy publicity man planting stories

Q: When could 'slick' be used to replace 'cunning'?

In some situations, the words slick and cunning are roughly equivalent. However, slick emphasizes smoothness and guile. // slick operators selling time-sharing

Q: When would 'sly' be a good substitute for 'cunning'?

Although the words sly and cunning have much in common, sly implies furtiveness, lack of candor, and skill in concealing one's aims and methods. // a sly corporate raider

Q: When might 'tricky' be a better fit than 'cunning'?

While the synonyms tricky and cunning are close in meaning, tricky is more likely to suggest shiftiness and unreliability than skill in deception and maneuvering. // a tricky political operative

Q: When can 'wily' be used instead of 'cunning'?

The meanings of wily and cunning largely overlap; however, wily implies skill and deception in maneuvering. // the wily fugitive escaped the posse

cunning 1 of 2

adjective

ˈkə-niŋ

Definition of cunning next

as in cute

clever at attaining one's ends by indirect and often deceptive means a cunning, underhanded plan to win the election by preying on people's fears and prejudices

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in skilled

skillful with the hands only the most cunning cabinetmaker could have crafted such a beautifully proportioned chest of drawers

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

cunning

2 of 2

noun

as in slyness

skill in achieving one's ends through indirect, subtle, or underhanded means the cunning with which Tom Sawyer was able to get others to whitewash the fence for him

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in skill

subtle or imaginative ability in inventing, devising, or executing something the unmatched cunning of the scout who led them safely through the trackless wilderness

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in deception

the inclination or practice of misleading others through lies or trickery used cunning and subterfuge to lure unwitting victims into the fraudulent scheme

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word cunning distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of cunning are artful, crafty, foxy, slick, sly, tricky, and wily. While all these words mean "attaining or seeking to attain one's ends by guileful or devious means," cunning suggests the inventive use of sometimes limited intelligence in overreaching or circumventing.

the cunning fox avoided the trap

In what contexts can artful take the place of cunning?

While in some cases nearly identical to cunning, artful implies indirectness in dealing and often connotes sophistication or cleverness.

elicited the information by artful questioning

Where would crafty be a reasonable alternative to cunning?

The synonyms crafty and cunning are sometimes interchangeable, but crafty implies cleverness and subtlety of method.

a crafty lefthander

When is it sensible to use foxy instead of cunning?

The words foxy and cunning can be used in similar contexts, but foxy implies a shrewd and wary craftiness usually involving devious dealing.

a foxy publicity man planting stories

When could slick be used to replace cunning?

In some situations, the words slick and cunning are roughly equivalent. However, slick emphasizes smoothness and guile.

slick operators selling time-sharing

When would sly be a good substitute for cunning?

Although the words sly and cunning have much in common, sly implies furtiveness, lack of candor, and skill in concealing one's aims and methods.

a sly corporate raider

When might tricky be a better fit than cunning?

While the synonyms tricky and cunning are close in meaning, tricky is more likely to suggest shiftiness and unreliability than skill in deception and maneuvering.

a tricky political operative

When can wily be used instead of cunning?

The meanings of wily and cunning largely overlap; however, wily implies skill and deception in maneuvering.

the wily fugitive escaped the posse

Examples 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 cunning

Adjective

This pretense—like the episode with the monsters letting out the animals—shows a whole new level of cunning on the monsters’ part. —

Erik Kain, Forbes, 13 Oct. 2024 Her strategic, cunning ability to manipulate situations to her advantage resembles this Water sign's modern ruler, Pluto, the planet of power and everything hidden beneath the surface. —

Valerie Mesa, Peoplemag, 30 June 2024

Noun

And far from being an impressive display of Soviet cunning and power, the operation was plagued by a profound lack of understanding of on-the-ground conditions in Cuba. —

Sergey Radchenko, Foreign Affairs, 3 Apr. 2023 What ensues is a dizzying array of goofs and fake-outs, as Jake proves his cunning through an elaborate plan involving a trash can fire, pigeons, and royal baby costumes. —

Ew Staff, EW.com, 24 Oct. 2023 See all Example Sentences for cunning

Recent Examples of Synonyms for cunning

Adjective

The smallest monkey in the world, these cute critters weigh in at just over 4 ounces.

Allison Futterman, Discover Magazine, 6 Nov. 2024
This floor-through townhouse co-op has a lot of cute details, like the working brick fireplace and the skylights in the kitchen and bathroom.

Clio Chang, Curbed, 5 Nov. 2024