1
as in ability
mental skill or quickness
it takes real cleverness to find a way around the rules
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in skill
subtle or imaginative ability in inventing, devising, or executing something
the undeniable cleverness of the negotiator, who managed to get each side to believe that they had won
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in creativity
the skill and imagination to create new things
Cole Porter's overall cleverness with words, including his effortless ability to rhyme and pun
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of cleverness
The humor spawned by Emma’s confession will strike some as deeply unfunny, while others might uncomfortably chuckle at its cleverness.
—
Brian Truitt, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2026
Another owner proudly mentioned her Corgi, known for its cleverness and ability to find its way home.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 23 Mar. 2026
But this is where MadEvolve really shines with its cleverness.
—Paul Sutter, Space.com, 22 Mar. 2026
Such is the cleverness of the writing.
—Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026
As to the famous fine line between stupid and clever, the stupidity and the cleverness are all but inextricable, and to the point.
—Television Critic, Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2026
Gartside tended to lead with the deconstructionist angle on his writing, and most critics seemed to take it as a given that all the lovey-dovey stuff was conceptual cleverness, a way of infiltrating pop and turning its lingua franca in on itself.
—Andy Cush, Pitchfork, 15 Feb. 2026
Choose kindness over cleverness, warmth over wit, empathy over one-upmanship.
—Glenn Kurlander, Fortune, 28 Jan. 2026
The narrative cleverness would only go so far, however, if it were not expertly brought to life.
—Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 26 Jan. 2026
Brian Truitt, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2026
Another owner proudly mentioned her Corgi, known for its cleverness and ability to find its way home.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 23 Mar. 2026
But this is where MadEvolve really shines with its cleverness.
—Paul Sutter, Space.com, 22 Mar. 2026
Such is the cleverness of the writing.
—Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026
As to the famous fine line between stupid and clever, the stupidity and the cleverness are all but inextricable, and to the point.
—Television Critic, Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2026
Gartside tended to lead with the deconstructionist angle on his writing, and most critics seemed to take it as a given that all the lovey-dovey stuff was conceptual cleverness, a way of infiltrating pop and turning its lingua franca in on itself.
—Andy Cush, Pitchfork, 15 Feb. 2026
Choose kindness over cleverness, warmth over wit, empathy over one-upmanship.
—Glenn Kurlander, Fortune, 28 Jan. 2026
The narrative cleverness would only go so far, however, if it were not expertly brought to life.
—Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 26 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cleverness
Noun
-
That is extremely important because it is connected directly to the ability to hire new employees.—
Opinion Staff,
Daily News,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Hill said his ability to read an offense comes from his vast experience.—
Walter Villa,
Miami Herald,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
If feedback arrives, take it as encouragement to refine, not retreat, since practice is what makes potential skills into real ones!—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Since the start of the school year, four Cristo Rey students have worked as interns to gain administrative skills and firsthand experience in how a nonprofit operates.—
Christina Mayo,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Yet in courts today, those same song lyrics can be presented to a jury as evidence of guilt, casting creativity as a literal confession.—
Ivan J. Bates,
Baltimore Sun,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Sunny Rey Azzarito was in the fourth grade and struggling a bit in school when her teacher looked at one of her assignments and saw creativity where someone else may have chosen criticism.—
Lisa Deaderick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
On May 1, Taylor will bring her fiery prowess to Heritage Barbecue for a one-night, 42-seat dinner alongside lauded pitmaster Daniel Castillo.—
Brock Keeling,
Oc Register,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Throughout his time at Ontario High and Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, Glover also added football into the mix and ultimately became best known for his wrestling prowess (despite feeling quite intimidated by his college teammate at the time, Chuck Liddell, who ultimately became an MMA star).—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
But without freedom, Berdyaev writes, creativeness is impossible.—
Andrew McDiarmid,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Some say that the quantity of productions required by streaming services has diluted the talent pool of crews.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
-
When their cultural impact coalesced with a massive talent infusion through the transfer portal, the Bruins captured their first championship in the NCAA era by routing South Carolina 79-51 on Sunday.—
Sabreena Merchant,
New York Times,
6 Apr. 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
-
May 21 – June 20 When structure meets imagination, conversations bloom.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Their height and heft frightened and thrilled spectators, earning dinosaurs a permanent place in the public imagination, Coules said.—
Scottie Andrew,
CNN Money,
5 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cleverness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cleverness. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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