CLEVER Synonyms: 344 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'clever' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of clever are adroit , cunning , and ingenious . While all these words mean "having or showing practical wit or skill in contriving," clever stresses physical or mental quickness, deftness, or great aptitude. // a person clever with horses

Q: When might 'adroit' be a better fit than 'clever'?

The words adroit and clever can be used in similar contexts, but adroit often implies a skillful use of expedients to achieve one's purpose in spite of difficulties. // an adroit negotiator

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

The meanings of cunning and clever largely overlap; however, cunning implies great skill in constructing or creating. // a filmmaker cunning in his use of special effects

Q: When is it sensible to use 'ingenious' instead of 'clever'?

While the synonyms ingenious and clever are close in meaning, ingenious suggests the power of inventing or discovering a new way of accomplishing something. // an ingenious software engineer

clever

adjective

ˈkle-vər

Definition of clever next

as in innovative

showing a noteworthy use of the imagination and creativity especially in inventing an inventor who was constantly coming up with clever devices for doing everyday chores

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in intelligent

having or showing quickness of mind a clever student figured out a trick to do the assignment faster

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in cunning

skillful with the hands the Shakers were clever artisans who created many ingenious and highly useful devices

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in witty

given to or marked by mature intelligent humor a clever joke that requires a little bit of thought on the part of the listener

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in inventive

having the skill and imagination to create new things I wonder what clever person thought of the digital camera

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective clever differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of clever are adroit, cunning, and ingenious. While all these words mean "having or showing practical wit or skill in contriving," clever stresses physical or mental quickness, deftness, or great aptitude.

a person clever with horses

When might adroit be a better fit than clever?

The words adroit and clever can be used in similar contexts, but adroit often implies a skillful use of expedients to achieve one's purpose in spite of difficulties.

an adroit negotiator

Where would cunning be a reasonable alternative to clever?

The meanings of cunning and clever largely overlap; however, cunning implies great skill in constructing or creating.

a filmmaker cunning in his use of special effects

When is it sensible to use ingenious instead of clever?

While the synonyms ingenious and clever are close in meaning, ingenious suggests the power of inventing or discovering a new way of accomplishing something.

an ingenious software engineer

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 clever There are a few clever bits in Kinda Pregnant, which considers the way the world treats pregnant people. —

Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Feb. 2025 Some of those really, really clever people have returned for more. —

Alex Ritman, Variety, 4 Feb. 2025 But if the goal of censorship is the control and regulation of important information or ideas, then an anti-censorship trend that purposefully obfuscates its own message isn’t clever. —

Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 3 Feb. 2025 The couple shared news of their pregnancy during the Chiefs game against the New Orleans Saints on Oct. 7 in a clever way, which was a recreation of Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker's iconic pregnancy announcement at his Blink-182 concert in 2023. —

Skyler Caruso, People.com, 29 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for clever

Recent Examples of Synonyms for clever

Adjective

This competition, a collaboration between the BBC children's show Blue Peter and the Earthshot Prize, invited children aged 5 to 15 to propose innovative solutions to environmental challenges.

— Stephanie Petit, People.com, 7 Feb. 2025
To that end, MSC World America is poised to become the line’s most environmentally friendly vessel yet, fueled by next-generation technology and innovative design features to maximize the ship’s efficiency and minimize its footprint.

— Blane Bachelor, AFAR Media, 7 Feb. 2025