1
as in smart
having or showing a practical cleverness or judgment
a shrewd used car dealer who knew how to make the best possible deal shrewd investments that paid off big
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2
as in bitter
causing intense discomfort to one's skin
she pulled her coat tighter against the shrewd breeze whipping down the alley
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3
as in cunning
clever at attaining one's ends by indirect and often deceptive means
a shrewd operator in the real estate game, she made every buyer think they were getting the deal of the century
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Recent Examples of shrewd
Those additions, coupled with other shrewd moves in recent years, gave Doncic the deepest, most balanced and best supporting cast he’s ever played with.
—
Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 3 Feb. 2025
Subscribe Kuok Meng Wei, whose grandfather was once called the world’s shrewdest businessman by Forbes, is leading his family into what the 41-year-old describes as the hottest industry in decades.
—Jonathan Burgos, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025
As seen through Leite’s hedonistic sensibilities, Brazil’s red-light districts vibrated with intoxicating samba and bohemian camaraderie; shrewd madams kept the police at bay, and clients did not dare mistreat the women.
—Foreign Affairs, 25 Feb. 2025
Daft Punk built its towering reputation as shrewd samplers before famously discarding that approach in favor of human players on Random Access Memories.
—Elias Leight, Billboard, 25 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shrewd
Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 3 Feb. 2025
Subscribe Kuok Meng Wei, whose grandfather was once called the world’s shrewdest businessman by Forbes, is leading his family into what the 41-year-old describes as the hottest industry in decades.
—Jonathan Burgos, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025
As seen through Leite’s hedonistic sensibilities, Brazil’s red-light districts vibrated with intoxicating samba and bohemian camaraderie; shrewd madams kept the police at bay, and clients did not dare mistreat the women.
—Foreign Affairs, 25 Feb. 2025
Daft Punk built its towering reputation as shrewd samplers before famously discarding that approach in favor of human players on Random Access Memories.
—Elias Leight, Billboard, 25 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shrewd
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shrewd
Adjective
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Take smart risks now to avoid catch-up costs later.—
Martin Zwilling,
Forbes.com,
29 Mar. 2025
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Body scale: on sale for $79.95 Original price: $99.95 This smart scale measures weight, BMI, body fat percentage, muscle mass, bone mass, and water percentage.—
Nora Colomer,
FOXNews.com,
29 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Some instant coffee is made with Robusta beans, which can be a bit bitter.—
Alexandra Emanuelli,
Southern Living,
23 Mar. 2025
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To add to Ferrari’s woes, Hamilton was also disqualified from sixth as the rear skid block on his car failed to meet the minimum thickness requirement – a bitter pill to swallow for the Brit who had secured his first victory for the team in the sprint earlier in the weekend.—
Yara Elshebiny,
Forbes,
23 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Every actor is absolutely perfect in this super-efficient romp, from Cleese’s perfect straight man amidst the chaos, to Curtis’ seductive, cunning femme fatale, to Palin’s stammering, animal-loving hitman whose assassination attempts go disastrously wrong.—
Travis Bean,
Forbes,
22 Mar. 2025
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Their infatuations are challenged by a cunning philosopher who persuades the bros to pretend they’ve been suddenly drafted and to return later in disguise to woo each other’s fiancée.—
Mark Swed,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Pelosi, 84, is serving her 20th term representing her San Francisco district in Congress and is seen by many as one of the most astute and impressive American political leaders in modern times.—
Mark Davis,
Newsweek,
16 Mar. 2025
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Andrews' nuanced design of P.L. Travers' creation is an astute, mellifluous, and delightfully intimidating creature of talent and propriety — and as the world would realize, so, too, was Andrews.—
EW Staff,
EW.com,
2 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Danny Elfman Helped Jenna Ortega With Her Cello Playing On Wednesday Lucky for Jenna Ortega, Tim Burton’s longtime music collaborator Danny Elfman was able to step in to help the actor learn the instrument with sharp precision.—
Tim Lammers,
Forbes,
23 Mar. 2025
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This included everything from gauzy and sheer dresses, to sharp tailoring and suits.—
Christian Allaire,
Vogue,
23 Mar. 2025
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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Utilizing savvy travel products like compression packing cubes, three-in-one foldable chargers, and a roomy personal item bag goes a long way.—
Hannah Freedman,
Travel + Leisure,
29 Mar. 2025
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The Irish hope to carry that same energy into Saturday’s matchup with TCU, a No. 2 seed headlined by savvy playmaker Hailey Van Lith.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Many of his biting posts have gone viral, drawing thousands of shares and millions of views.—
Ron Estes,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Mar. 2025
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The criticism from Barney Ronay at The Guardian was even more biting.—
Zak Garner-Purkis,
Forbes,
23 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shrewd.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shrewd. Accessed 3 Apr. 2025.
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