1
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in skilled
skillful with the hands
only the most cunning cabinetmaker could have crafted such a beautifully proportioned chest of drawers
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
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
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2
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
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3
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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of cunning
EW.com, 2 Mar. 2025
That was true at the City Ground, with the Forest’s captain’s cunning and guile repeatedly threatening to unlock Arsenal’s stubborn defence.
—James McNicholas, The Athletic, 26 Feb. 2025
Walter Russell Mead, Foreign Affairs, 1 Nov. 2012
David slayed the giant with a slingshot; Esther by her cunning saved her people.
—Gwen Faulkenberry, arkansasonline.com, 12 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for cunning
Adjective
Michael Douglas — Wall Street (1987) Gordon Gekko is a cunning and unscrupulous corporate predator who crystallized the Reagan-era ethos into three words.
—EW.com, 2 Mar. 2025
That was true at the City Ground, with the Forest’s captain’s cunning and guile repeatedly threatening to unlock Arsenal’s stubborn defence.
—James McNicholas, The Athletic, 26 Feb. 2025
Noun
Just as Nordlinger shows that the peacemakers and Nobel laureates whose work holds up best are those who brought specific conflicts to an end, the organizations in Bob's account that get the most done are those that pursue limited goals with cunning and patience.
—Walter Russell Mead, Foreign Affairs, 1 Nov. 2012
David slayed the giant with a slingshot; Esther by her cunning saved her people.
—Gwen Faulkenberry, arkansasonline.com, 12 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for cunning
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cunning
Adjective
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This Mainstays set accomplishes both goals and is so cute for summer.—
Megan Schaltegger,
Travel + Leisure,
21 Mar. 2025
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His rapping has a frail, slithering quality; his vocal tone morphs between cute squeakiness and ragged rottweiler growls.—
Spencer Kornhaber,
The Atlantic,
21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The loss of this skilled support would place a greater burden on active-duty soldiers, who are not trained for many of these back-end roles.—
Solange Charas,
Forbes,
23 Mar. 2025
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Hurley said postgame that Florida’s roster construction — especially the Gators’ skilled two-way bigs and glut of perimeter threats — reminded him of his own rosters, at least for most of the past three seasons.—
Brendan Marks,
The Athletic,
22 Mar. 2025
Noun
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All four reports were critical of the more liberal education policies of the 1960s and 1970s – such as an emphasis on student feelings about race, for example, rather than a focus on basic skills.—
Fred L. Pincus,
The Conversation,
21 Mar. 2025
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For aspiring thriller writers, developing this skill takes practice.—
JD Barker,
Rolling Stone,
21 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Trickery, obfuscation, and deception are common in local politics.—
Harvey Levine,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
20 Mar. 2025
-
Tyler Perry’s latest thriller, Duplicity, hits theaters today, March 20, delivering a suspenseful story of deception, justice, and betrayal.—
Shelby Stewart,
Essence,
20 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The Pre Wash Scalp Oil is also infused with amber, cashmere musk, lemon and mandarin leaving a subtle fragrance that’s equal parts cozy and sparkling.—
Bianca Salonga,
Forbes,
26 Mar. 2025
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In the Hollywood Hills home designed for Netflix executive Peter Friedlander, Gille Mills establishes a subtle, playful sensibility that seeks visual harmony.—
Jessica Ritz,
Architectural Digest,
26 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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This skillful painting by Sophie Zhou, a junior at The Kincaid School, was sold for a record $276,000 at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo's school art competition auction.—
Shafaq Patel,
Axios,
19 Mar. 2025
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This hints that, yes, skillful storytellers may actually live longer.—
Ron Shachar,
Scientific American,
7 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Morgan Gibbs-White operated with his usual brand of swagger and guile as Nuno Espirito Santo again handed him a deeper role in Forest’s midfield.—
Paul Taylor,
The Athletic,
17 Mar. 2025
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All of which is to say, Cooper is very good at playing someone adept at persuasion, either through intimidation or guile.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
9 Mar. 2025
Noun
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But all 12 are saturated with deceit, consternation and heartbreak.—
Linda Robertson,
Miami Herald,
2 Mar. 2025
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His real estate business, with finances overseen by a subservient non-CPA, committed so much deceit that the Trump Organization ended up convicted of tax crimes and its former chief financial officer went to jail—twice.—
Dan Alexander,
Forbes,
18 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cunning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cunning. Accessed 4 Apr. 2025.
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