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
-
At their best, then, prediction markets aggregate collective intelligence to weigh the likelihood of future events.—
Parker Bach,
The Conversation,
31 Mar. 2026 -
The Pixel 9a brings Google's flagship intelligence to a more accessible price point without compromising on durability or features.—
Juhi Wadia,
PC Magazine,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Maybe the mere fact of having been born illustrious, with no apparent faults, with nothing to prove or to be ashamed of, had liberated John from the resentments the rest of us feel, and from the cunning and ambition such resentments fuel.—
Jeffrey Eugenides,
New Yorker,
4 Apr. 2026
-
The Brazil international combines technical craft with a decisive cunning.—
Carl Anka,
New York Times,
21 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Exceptionally well-written with equal parts spice, vinegar, wicked wit, and wonder how Charlie and Emma can possibly survive this unexpected turn in their lives after one simple question and one complicated answer threatens to blow everything up.—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
31 Mar. 2026
-
The level of stress the game conjures rivals that of the new Resident Evil installment, in which a young woman armed with only her wits and a pistol faces down ravenous monsters.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Mike Bowman, designer, furniture industry expert, and director of marketing for Harmonia Living, says this trend relies on furnishings to bring artfulness to a space—rather than just functionality.—
Patricia Shannon,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Jan. 2026
-
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
-
Humble but strong, philosophical but pragmatic, Kingsley's interpretation of the leader manages to balance both his spirituality and shrewdness, simultaneously demystifying an icon while also adding another layer to the legend.—
Devan Coggan,
Entertainment Weekly,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Venusian shrewdness and Mercurian intelligence are coming together to boost your analytical powers — at least, in regard to your own finances.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
28 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
For even in extravagance, subtlety was key.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Apr. 2026
-
The balance between visual impact and emotional subtlety is what gives the exhibition its strength.—
Olga Garcia-Mayoral,
Miami Herald,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Cignetti has tapped into a distinctly Hoosier brand of team pride, which proves that his acumen is just as strong off the football field as on it.—
Domenica Bongiovanni,
IndyStar,
28 Jan. 2026
-
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
Noun
-
More smart scales are now including a handlebar to provide detailed insights into fat and muscle distribution across different parts of the body.—
Andrew Gebhart,
PC Magazine,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Business leaders look everywhere for inspiration, from eyeing their peers’ successes to tapping industry vets for insight.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
4 Apr. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Canniness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/canniness. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.
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