1
as in smart
having or showing a practical cleverness or judgment
a shrewd used car dealer who knew how to make the best possible deal shrewd investments that paid off big
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2
as in bitter
causing intense discomfort to one's skin
she pulled her coat tighter against the shrewd breeze whipping down the alley
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3
as in cunning
clever at attaining one's ends by indirect and often deceptive means
a shrewd operator in the real estate game, she made every buyer think they were getting the deal of the century
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Recent Examples of shrewd
To the world, Seema is a shrewd real estate broker.
—
Lisa Stardust, People.com, 28 May 2025
Wonderfully surreal, completely original, and frequently hilarious, La Máquina — which also stars Eiza González (3 Body Problem) as Eduardo’s shrewd ex-wife, Irasema — packs a powerful punch.
—Ew Staff, EW.com, 22 May 2025
When Bluhdorn died suddenly, in 1983, Martin Davis—who had helped engineer Paramount’s sale to Gulf + Western back in 1966 and had risen through the ranks as Bluhdorn’s shrewdest lieutenant—took over the company.
—Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 19 May 2025
And the Knicks have taken advantage by making shrewd move after shrewd move, acquiring two-way wings such as Bridges and OG Anunoby, while trading Randle and guard Donte DiVincenzo for All-Star big man Karl-Anthony Towns before the season.
—Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 18 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for shrewd
Lisa Stardust, People.com, 28 May 2025
Wonderfully surreal, completely original, and frequently hilarious, La Máquina — which also stars Eiza González (3 Body Problem) as Eduardo’s shrewd ex-wife, Irasema — packs a powerful punch.
—Ew Staff, EW.com, 22 May 2025
When Bluhdorn died suddenly, in 1983, Martin Davis—who had helped engineer Paramount’s sale to Gulf + Western back in 1966 and had risen through the ranks as Bluhdorn’s shrewdest lieutenant—took over the company.
—Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 19 May 2025
And the Knicks have taken advantage by making shrewd move after shrewd move, acquiring two-way wings such as Bridges and OG Anunoby, while trading Randle and guard Donte DiVincenzo for All-Star big man Karl-Anthony Towns before the season.
—Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 18 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for shrewd
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shrewd
Adjective
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Moreover, waving the flag of a foreign country isn’t prideful, or politically smart in the least.—
Mark Z. Barabak,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2025
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With the longer battery life, lighter design and smart safety features, this jetpack is definitely for anyone looking to make their underwater adventures more exciting.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
9 June 2025
Adjective
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Like every other entrepreneur, Ian had to face bitter betrayal from people who once believed in his vision.—
Jason Phillips,
USA Today,
4 June 2025
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Right after that, Kansas will face bitter rival Missouri at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City on Dec. 7.—
Shreyas Laddha,
Kansas City Star,
4 June 2025
Adjective
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Particularly cunning or politically convenient women have infrequently maneuvered into the halls of power, but these female monarchs have served mostly as short detours during times when a male crown prince was either too young or too weak to stand on his own.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
The Washington Examiner,
8 June 2025
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Anderson stands the original on its head: grooming Liesl as a successor, Zsa-zsa introduces her to a world where cunning and force hold sway.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
29 May 2025
Adjective
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The 51-year-old is widely considered one of the most astute tacticians in the Premier League and has been the figurehead of one of the smartest, shrewdest clubs anywhere in European soccer for the last seven years.—
Graham Ruthven,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2025
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It should be noted that Bouchard was an astute draft selection by Chiarelli and his scouts in 2018.—
Allan Mitchell,
New York Times,
31 May 2025
Adjective
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The withdrawal, and the chaos that accompanied it, drew sharp criticism from many Americans.—
Mandy Taheri,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 June 2025
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And then there’s the funny, sharp and deeply ironic montages of Lucy’s clients.—
Abigail Lee,
Variety,
14 June 2025
Adjective
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To achieve that look, make sure your capsule wardrobe has a solid, multifunctional layer like the Madewell crochet vest tank that can be worn on top of a cute boxy T-shirt, and also by itself.—
Riana Singh,
Travel + Leisure,
13 June 2025
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Related Articles Miss Manners: Another mother chided me for group-texting a cute photo.—
Eric Thomas,
The Orlando Sentinel,
13 June 2025
Adjective
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As a result of a global economic slowdown, communication agencies are getting savvy in how to marshal their resources.—
Hikmat Mohammed,
Footwear News,
9 June 2025
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This 16-inch gaming laptop is marked down right now, with additional savings for savvy shoppers who use code LEVELUP20.—
Jade Chung-Lee,
PC Magazine,
3 June 2025
Adjective
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As always, Danan’s voice is hysterically funny, her characters’ exhibiting a wry and biting sense of humor.—
Maureen Lee Lenker,
EW.com,
19 May 2025
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Fey’s writing usually has a reputation of being more on the biting or sardonic side, but The Four Seasons trades out the eye rolls for loving looks (mostly).—
Tom Smyth,
Vulture,
15 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shrewd.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shrewd. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
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