1
as in cute
clever at attaining one's ends by indirect and often deceptive means
a cunning, underhanded plan to win the election by preying on people's fears and prejudices
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in skilled
skillful with the hands
only the most cunning cabinetmaker could have crafted such a beautifully proportioned chest of drawers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in slyness
skill in achieving one's ends through indirect, subtle, or underhanded means
the cunning with which Tom Sawyer was able to get others to whitewash the fence for him
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2
as in skill
subtle or imaginative ability in inventing, devising, or executing something
the unmatched cunning of the scout who led them safely through the trackless wilderness
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in deception
the inclination or practice of misleading others through lies or trickery
used cunning and subterfuge to lure unwitting victims into the fraudulent scheme
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of cunning
Athena Sobhan, People.com, 7 Feb. 2025
Counties and cattlemen associations throughout Colorado set bounties — as high as $1k ($19k today) for the most cunning wolves.
—Mark Dent, thehustle.co, 31 Jan. 2025
Gwen Faulkenberry, arkansasonline.com, 12 Dec. 2024
Over time, guile took on the connotation of deceitful cunning in English, emerging in Middle English around the 12th century.
—Erik Kain, Forbes, 1 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for cunning
Adjective
Thomas adds that much like Capricorns — known for their great ambition and perseverance to reach the top — Luthor is also strategic, cunning and powerful.
—Athena Sobhan, People.com, 7 Feb. 2025
Counties and cattlemen associations throughout Colorado set bounties — as high as $1k ($19k today) for the most cunning wolves.
—Mark Dent, thehustle.co, 31 Jan. 2025
Noun
David slayed the giant with a slingshot; Esther by her cunning saved her people.
—Gwen Faulkenberry, arkansasonline.com, 12 Dec. 2024
Over time, guile took on the connotation of deceitful cunning in English, emerging in Middle English around the 12th century.
—Erik Kain, Forbes, 1 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for cunning
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cunning
Adjective
-
In December 2024, the brand opened a cute hut that could have been plucked out of a Disney cartoon on the beach of the St. Regis Kanai Resort in Riviera Maya.—
Hikmat Mohammed,
WWD,
9 Mar. 2025
-
Okay, but how cute is Meghan’s dog, Guy? Love him!!!!—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
For highly skilled job seekers, the choice is obvious.—
Sarah Elk,
Forbes,
27 Feb. 2025
-
Truly skilled, effective coaches don’t need to call their players names and berate them for messing up and know that doing so makes players afraid to take risks and be creative, critical parts of being a great soccer player.—
Jeff Rueter,
The Athletic,
26 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Meghan Markle may host a series that shows off her skills in the kitchen, but apparently her husband Prince Harry isn’t a bad cook, either.—
Erin Hill,
People.com,
9 Mar. 2025
-
With the rise of the gig economy and digital platforms, turning your existing skills into a profitable side hustle has never been easier, or more necessary.—
Melissa Houston,
Forbes,
9 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Tacopina recently appeared on The Breakfast Club to break down key elements of the defense’s strategy in proving Rocky’s innocence, and the plaintiff’s, A$AP Relli, lies and deception.—
Preezy Brown,
VIBE.com,
25 Feb. 2025
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Today the art world is reeling over not just her deception, but also the stain Ms. Schiff has left on the largely unregulated business of art advising.—
Sarah Maslin Nir,
New York Times,
18 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Soft and subtle raspberry aromas, as well as rich black cherries and beef jerky.—
Tom Mullen,
Forbes,
2 Mar. 2025
-
These devices are more precise and subtle than old fashioned metal detectors, using specific sensitivity settings and artificial intelligence to detect hidden weapons as opposed to harmless items such as keys and phones, allowing people to enter facilities with very little delay.—
Chris Boyette,
CNN,
2 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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His non-fiction book The Onion Field, published in 1973, would stand as, arguably, his literary masterpiece, a skillful telling of the true tale of a 1963 kidnapping of two LAPD officers and the brutal murder of one of them.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
28 Feb. 2025
-
Hackman tamped down all of his gritty charm to embody a squirrely surveillance expert, again showcasing a skillful adaptability early in his career.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
27 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
That was true at the City Ground, with the Forest’s captain’s cunning and guile repeatedly threatening to unlock Arsenal’s stubborn defence.—
James McNicholas,
The Athletic,
26 Feb. 2025
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Whatever Van Nistelrooy has seen in training that has left him using the young Argentine so sparingly must be serious because the Brighton loanee is a player with guile and graft.—
Rob Tanner,
The Athletic,
21 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Much of the series’ pathos hinges on the growing schism between mother and son as Kanan begins to understand the horrors of Raq’s machinations and deceit (including tricking him into assassinating his biological father), leading him to try to go into business for himself.—
Robyn Bahr,
The Hollywood Reporter,
7 Mar. 2025
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Thirteen showed signs of possible deceit or suspicious activity.—
Donna McGuire,
Ian Cummings,
and Glenn E. Rice,
Kansas City Star,
25 Feb. 2025
Articles Related to cunning
Cite this Entry
“Cunning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cunning. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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