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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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
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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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of shrewd
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
Meanwhile, both Dylan and Gabby were hugely likeable personalities and made enough shrewd reads throughout the season to make their victories feel more than satisfying.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 7 Mar. 2025
Moore’s performance is funny, shrewd, and in places deeply moving.
—Stephanie Zacharek, TIME, 24 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shrewd
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
Meanwhile, both Dylan and Gabby were hugely likeable personalities and made enough shrewd reads throughout the season to make their victories feel more than satisfying.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 7 Mar. 2025
Moore’s performance is funny, shrewd, and in places deeply moving.
—Stephanie Zacharek, TIME, 24 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shrewd
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shrewd
Adjective
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The style is a challenge: should their comedy be smart and savvy or broad and easy-going?—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
10 Apr. 2025
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Vara is an appealing narrator—smart, funny, honest, and a little neurotic.—
Anna Wiener,
New Yorker,
9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The bitter dispute recently tipped into its fourth consecutive month and has escalated.—
Anna Cooban,
CNN Money,
5 Apr. 2025
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What really set it apart was its unique flavor, with a bitter edge akin to horseradish or wasabi.—
Sam Stone,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
3 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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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
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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
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But, like any astute power ranking, there are certain tells about which nominees have an advantage.—
Devon Ivie,
Vulture,
3 Apr. 2025
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There’s a chance an astute hiker could probably see Prospect Park from the top of Cowles Mountain looking northeast.—
Phillip Molnar,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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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
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The duo spoke with Variety about the movie, and it’s soon revealed that in addition to their talent, the pair share a sharp sense of humor.—
Jenelle Riley,
Variety,
4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Plus, shop cute styles for brunch with friends or date night.—
Isabel Garcia,
People.com,
3 Apr. 2025
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This cute upstairs cafe at the English Market is a great choice for tea, cakes or lunch.—
Joanne Shurvell,
Forbes.com,
2 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Now, onto some savvy spring shopping curated by WWD editors.—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
10 Apr. 2025
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Our team of savvy editors independently handpicks all recommendations.—
Saman Shafiq,
USA Today,
9 Apr. 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 13 Apr. 2025.
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