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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

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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective shrewd differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of shrewd are astute, perspicacious, and sagacious. While all these words mean "acute in perception and sound in judgment," shrewd stresses practical, hardheaded cleverness and judgment.

a shrewd judge of character

When is it sensible to use astute instead of shrewd?

While the synonyms astute and shrewd are close in meaning, astute suggests shrewdness, perspicacity, and diplomatic skill.

an astute player of party politics

When could perspicacious be used to replace shrewd?

The meanings of perspicacious and shrewd largely overlap; however, perspicacious implies unusual power to see through and understand what is puzzling or hidden.

a perspicacious counselor saw through the child's facade

When might sagacious be a better fit than shrewd?

While in some cases nearly identical to shrewd, sagacious suggests wisdom, penetration, and farsightedness.

sagacious investors got in on the ground floor

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 Getting Jones in Round 5 in 2022 was a shrewd move, but the Bears need more Day 2 and Day 3 hits. Brad Biggs, Chicago Tribune, 22 Apr. 2025 Their choice already looks shrewd, with Smith producing a 1.54 ERA in his first two starts. Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025 John Malone, the shrewd and far-sighted media mogul and key ally of David Zaslav, has decided not to stand for re-election to Warner Bros. Discovery‘s board of directors. Brent Lang, Variety, 11 Apr. 2025 Unlike Malone’s many shrewd moves over decades in the media business, however, the WBD merger hasn’t yet borne fruit. Dade Hayes, Deadline, 11 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for shrewd
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shrewd
Adjective
  • One key to that type of extended run, says Tear, is the smart deployment of follow-up singles — songs from a popular artist that prevent listeners from getting tired of their mega-hit, but don’t necessarily get in its way, either.
    Jason Lipshutz, Billboard, 28 May 2025
  • The organization will help fund new ideas in smart home technologies, energy efficiency, digitization, safety and more.
    Jennifer Bradley Franklin, USA Today, 28 May 2025
Adjective
  • Where Silverman radically departs from Strindberg’s bitter play is in their portrait of Tekla, who is a spikily delightful self-starter instead of the idiot-monster of the original.
    Helen Shaw, New Yorker, 22 May 2025
  • Still, Levi isn’t bitter and blames the reporter for trying to use Gunn to publicly shame him.
    Tatiana Siegel, Variety, 22 May 2025
Adjective
  • McLaren’s Piastri began in pole position and initially held off Verstappen before the Dutchman displayed all the brilliance, cunning and bravery that has propelled him to four world championships, holding off the brakes as long as possible and sliding around the outside on the first turn.
    Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 18 May 2025
  • Unfortunately, Porsha isn’t cunning enough for this to work.
    Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 12 May 2025
Adjective
  • The directors’ astute perception of (mis)communication between the sexes stems from her experience growing up with her parents, who stayed together for societal and financial reasons.
    Blake Simons, IndieWire, 17 May 2025
  • Only this time, a tactically astute coach is required.
    Henry Flynn, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025
Adjective
  • His equaliser against Leganes in March was a perfect example, with Bellingham sharpest to react when a shot cannoned off the crossbar.
    Mario Cortegana, New York Times, 22 May 2025
  • Stocks sold off, pressured by a sharp spike higher in Treasury yields as traders grew worried that a new U.S. budget bill would put even more stress on the country’s already large deficit.
    Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 21 May 2025
Adjective
  • She has been married twice, marrying director Chris Calkins in 2009. 08 of 09 Woody Harrelson as Woody Boyd Woody Harrelson's Woody Boyd joined Cheers in season 4 as a not-so-bright but very cute bartender.
    Kate Hogan, People.com, 20 May 2025
  • Their relationship unfolds over cute dates and study sessions, the two of them picking their way through all the messy, beautiful confusion of growing up.
    Krysta Hawkins, Vogue, 18 May 2025
Adjective
  • Five Strategic Lessons For A CMO’s Met Gala Playbook The Met Gala is a little bit celebrity pageantry, and a lot of savvy marketing built on smart, long-game cultural fluency.
    Lilian Raji, Forbes.com, 27 May 2025
  • Machado is among the league’s savviest baserunners.
    Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 May 2025
Adjective
  • But when Afrikaners began to take a serious interest in Mr. Trump’s refugee program, the biting remarks were unleashed.
    Zimasa Matiwane, New York Times, 22 May 2025
  • Katy Perry is continuing to catch strays, this time from the most biting demographic of all: the pop girlie fandom.
    Jessica Wang, EW.com, 2 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Shrewd.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shrewd. Accessed 2 Jun. 2025.

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