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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

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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 That’s a story that still resonates, as Ringwald notes, and one that could prove ripe for a remake, albeit with some creative and clever casting. Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 18 Apr. 2025 The clever cat has also learned how to high-five and give his paw. Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Apr. 2025 The lingo, the faces, the concerns – all seemed, if not entirely authentic, then at least clever enough to create some backstage buzz. Greg Evans, Deadline, 10 Apr. 2025 Just make sure your clever solution doesn’t create additional fire hazards i.e. don’t hide cords under a rug. Maddie Topliff, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for clever
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clever
Adjective
  • Conservation groups say the spill catalyzed innovative restoration work across the Gulf Coast, but are alarmed at the recent halt of a flagship land-creation project in Louisiana.
    Jack Brook, Los Angeles Times, 21 Apr. 2025
  • Serving on the Ralph Lowe Energy Institute board has reinforced my dedication to resource management and exploring innovative and sustainable solutions.
    Kate Marijolovic, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Talos, Pandora and other artificially intelligent entities had already set the stage for humans to explore this idea.
    Sofia Giannuzzi, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Apr. 2025
  • Yes, Love Hotel might be Bravo’s most emotionally intelligent experiment yet.
    Shelby Stewart, Essence, 22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The mean girl, as we’ve been taught to recognize her, is cunning and charismatic.
    Shelby Stewart, Essence, 8 Apr. 2025
  • With time, cunning, and no irony, the Shuberts slew the Syndicate Goliath and built a monopolistic empire of their own that Justice Department lawyers would decades later force into an antitrust settlement.
    Frank Rich, Vulture, 8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Britt Lower, Patricia Arquette, and Christopher Walken co-star in this incredibly smart and witty sci-fi drama.
    Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Heckerling's 1995 film, a loose adaptation of Jane Austen's witty novel of young love, Emma, centers on Silverstone's sunny, good-hearted, yet at times slightly daft heroine.
    Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Over the course of his three decade-spanning career from the 1950s through 1980s, Krause has designed sets for over 180 productions, earning acclaim for his inventive and elegant visual style.
    Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 13 Apr. 2025
  • Menus now feature more inventive options designed to surprise.
    Rachel King, Forbes.com, 11 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The show, aimed at 4-8s, follows the adventures of two imaginative siblings who stumble upon VR headsets that take them to Storyland, a world built on iconic stories from Indian mythology and folklore.
    Max Goldbart, Deadline, 22 Apr. 2025
  • Theater is a dynamic environment for imaginative people to do cool things, and audiences will opt in.
    Ashley Lee, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • An increasing number of smart, eco-conscious entrepreneurs are putting Earth first by utilizing unwanted materials that would otherwise end up as trash.
    Lisa Jhung, Outside Online, 22 Apr. 2025
  • Even smart bulbs and other kinds of smart lighting often require less power than traditional lights.
    Simon Hill, Wired News, 22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Early implementations have experienced technical glitches, such as those occasionally seen in MLB's 3D broadcasts, which sometimes led to humorous but unintended visual effects.
    Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report, FOXNews.com, 17 Apr. 2025
  • The off-beat ads and humorous posters have only stoked fan conversation about what, exactly, this project is and what on earth is going on with the asterisk in the title.
    Eliana Dockterman, Time, 17 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Clever.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clever. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.

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