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
-
The style is a challenge: should their comedy be smart and savvy or broad and easy-going?—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
10 Apr. 2025
-
So slotting in a quick biceps workout to smoke these important players is always a smart choice—especially since this muscle group can easily get neglected.—
Jenny McCoy,
SELF,
9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The premise— about of the making of a fictional Marilyn musical named Bombshell — is the same, but gone are most of the show's characters and the overall premise of the bitter feud between two women vying for the title part.—
Dave Quinn,
People.com,
12 Apr. 2025
-
The premise of the making of a Marilyn musical is the same, but gone are most of the show's characters and the overall premise of the bitter feud between two women vying for the title party.—
Dave Quinn,
People.com,
11 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Unlike Mitch McConnell, the taciturn and cunning leader at the time, Thune genuinely tried to answer questions.—
David D. Kirkpatrick,
New Yorker,
31 Mar. 2025
-
But what Neil is accused of is something well beyond cunning or perfidy or faithlessness, well beyond questionable morality.—
Mikal Gilmore,
Rolling Stone,
16 Feb. 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
-
Powell’s latest comments, his most vivid yet on the subject, come just days after the Trump administration unveiled the sharpest ever escalation in US tariffs on data going back 200 years, Fitch Ratings told CNN — even steeper than the expansive tariffs deployed under the Smoot-Hawley Act of 1930.—
Bryan Mena,
CNN Money,
4 Apr. 2025
-
Even at such a low price, this unit is packed with features and performance, including a wide 180 degree viewing angle, sharp 2K video, smart object detection and more.—
K. Thor Jensen,
PC Magazine,
4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Snake Bird Vintage has a fantastic array of clothing and accessories in a cute repurposed garage.—
Kara Franker,
Southern Living,
13 Apr. 2025
-
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
Adjective
-
Now, onto some savvy spring shopping curated by WWD editors.—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
10 Apr. 2025
-
Our team of savvy editors independently handpicks all recommendations.—
Saman Shafiq,
USA Today,
9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Many of his biting posts have gone viral, drawing thousands of shares and millions of views.—
Ron Estes,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Mar. 2025
-
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 18 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share