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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in bitter
causing intense discomfort to one's skin
she pulled her coat tighter against the shrewd breeze whipping down the alley
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example 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 shrewd
Isak is another clear example of Newcastle United being one of the Premier League’s shrewdest transfer operators.
—
Zak Garner-Purkis, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025
In an offseason that saw the Las Vegas Aces trade Kelsey Plum to the Los Angeles Sparks, the Fever may have made some of the shrewdest moves that have gone under the radar.
—Ryan Gaydos, Fox News, 11 Feb. 2025
These people painted a picture of a shrewd capitalist, making practical calculations to protect his businesses.
—Ashley Belanger, Ars Technica, 20 Mar. 2025
Their shrewd negotiators would undoubtedly invoke American precedent to subdivide their political entities.
—Steve Forbes, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shrewd
Zak Garner-Purkis, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025
In an offseason that saw the Las Vegas Aces trade Kelsey Plum to the Los Angeles Sparks, the Fever may have made some of the shrewdest moves that have gone under the radar.
—Ryan Gaydos, Fox News, 11 Feb. 2025
These people painted a picture of a shrewd capitalist, making practical calculations to protect his businesses.
—Ashley Belanger, Ars Technica, 20 Mar. 2025
Their shrewd negotiators would undoubtedly invoke American precedent to subdivide their political entities.
—Steve Forbes, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shrewd
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shrewd
Adjective
-
But smart leaders know that not all bets are created equal—and not all uncertainty plays by the same rules.—
Paola Cecchi-Dimeglio,
Forbes.com,
22 Apr. 2025
-
Yamaha started with their largest offshore outboard, the XTO 450, and made some smart changes to handle hydrogen.—
Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report,
FOXNews.com,
22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The United States and the Soviet Union were bitter adversaries during the four decade-long Cold War, competing for influence on multiple continents and arming their respective proxies from as far afield as Afghanistan, Angola, and Nicaragua in order to enhance their power at the other's expense.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Apr. 2025
-
Then the game jumps ahead, to a snowier and more bitter world.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The mean girl, as we’ve been taught to recognize her, is cunning and charismatic.—
Shelby Stewart,
Essence,
8 Apr. 2025
-
With time, cunning, and no irony, the Shuberts slew the Syndicate Goliath and built a monopolistic empire of their own that Justice Department lawyers would decades later force into an antitrust settlement.—
Frank Rich,
Vulture,
8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Only the most astute short-term traders can do well in wild markets; ordinary investors need to keep calm and ignore all the headlines and price gyrations.—
Sal Gilbertie,
Forbes.com,
4 Apr. 2025
-
At the same time, Scott’s act of mass ventriloquism—patient, playful, physically astute and ultimately brave—clarifies something at the heart of Chekhov’s play.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
18 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Such a sharp rise in government bond yields over a period of weeks is relatively unusual.—
Simon Moore,
Forbes.com,
14 Apr. 2025
-
As part of that effort, Democrats are hoping to exploit the sharp GOP divisions over the value of Medicaid and how deeply Republicans should cut its funding.—
Mike Lillis,
The Hill,
14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
His grousing is interrupted by some very cute uncle moments with Maria and Tommy’s son, Benji, then Joel takes off just as Tommy gets back.—
Kimberly Roots,
TVLine,
13 Apr. 2025
-
Snake Bird Vintage has a fantastic array of clothing and accessories in a cute repurposed garage.—
Kara Franker,
Southern Living,
13 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
But the truly savvy teens aren't punching time clocks.—
Sarah Hernholm,
Forbes.com,
20 Apr. 2025
-
With $80 billion in new funding from Congress, the IRS went shopping for young, tech savvy accountants and engineers who could deconstruct the complex returns of the wealthy and private companies.—
Robert Frank,
CNBC,
17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The word itself began life as a British colonial term, probably a corruption of kutu, a Malay word for lice and other biting insects.—
Bruce Handy,
The Atlantic,
16 Apr. 2025
-
But the two-hour, 40-minute script by Jennifer Crittenden and Gabrielle Allan is smart, biting, playful and swift-paced.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shrewd.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shrewd. Accessed 28 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share