1
as in intelligence
exceptional discernment and judgment especially in practical matters
negotiates business deals with all of the proverbial canniness of an old-time horse trader
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in cunning
skill in achieving one's ends through indirect, subtle, or underhanded means
the canniness with which she negotiated her contract as spokesperson for the shoe manufacturer
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for canniness
Noun
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Because in a world where intelligence is becoming artificial, the quality of human thinking has never mattered more.—
Jaime Catmull,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 2025 -
The South Korean military also tracked other Chinese vessels, believed to conduct drills and live-fire tests, near the country—including 13,000-ton Type 055 destroyers, which are capable of launching over 100 missiles, and Type 815 intelligence-gathering ships.—
Ryan Chan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Despite being outnumbered 50-to-1 by the Five Families of the Italian mafia, The Westies’ legendary brutality and cunning have given them the leverage necessary to share the spoils through a fragile détente.—
Denise Petski,
Deadline,
9 Sep. 2025
-
Luke Shaw’s technique and cunning at centre-back deserved to be better rewarded.—
Laurie Whitwell,
New York Times,
18 Aug. 2025
Noun
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With his dry, sarcastic wit and honesty, Barney is a notorious player on the dating scene.—
Lisa Stardust,
PEOPLE,
19 Sep. 2025
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Among their inspiring behaviors, these characters deserve to also express pettiness and selfishness, or, at the very least, more wit.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
19 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
There is a real seriousness to the score — the scheming bad-guy music has the artfulness of Prokofiev, and even the sneaking-around cues have musical integrity and structure.—
Tim Greiving,
Vulture,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
And Ten Hag’s training ground shrewdness was meant to correct that.—
Carl Anka,
New York Times,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The Uzbek defender does not deal in subtleties.—
Jordan Campbell,
New York Times,
15 Sep. 2025
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Her ability to tease out the subtleties of millennial-speak led to over 25 million views and half a million followers.—
Kathryn VanArendonk,
Vulture,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The guys up at Auburn rave about his intelligence, his football acumen and his work ethic.—
Creg Stephenson | cstephenson@al.com,
al,
20 Jan. 2023
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But Lord knows, there’s a mountain of acumen and perspicacity or, in plain terms, good horse sense stored in those minds and souls.—
Gordon Monson,
The Salt Lake Tribune,
8 Jan. 2023
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Cite this Entry
“Canniness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/canniness. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
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