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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 The jokey, gleefully profane lyrics are stimulating in the moment but then quickly forgotten, like novelty songs in a clever college cabaret. Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 1 Mar. 2025 This clever formula is soothing enough to work as a sensitive-skin-friendly face wash. Denise Primbet, Glamour, 28 Feb. 2025 Instead, the team wanted to build a unique protagonist with a distinct personality, but one indentured to Buss’ real challenges and clever solutions. Jake Kring-Schreifels, TIME, 27 Feb. 2025 Amazon is using a clever approach to dealing with fatigue with subscriptions and, more specifically, subscription spending. Ars Technica, 26 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for clever
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clever
Adjective
  • Tokito: The 540-Day Journey of a Culinary Maverick (Japan) Maverick chef Yoshinori Ishii, an internationally renowned two-star Michelin chef, returns to Japan to transform a historic restaurant in Tokyo into an innovative auberge.
    Matthew Carey, Deadline, 4 Mar. 2025
  • This innovative utensil uses a mild electric current to simulate a salty taste without adding sodium, offering a potential breakthrough for those on low-sodium diets.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Put differently, intelligent onboarding can enable financial service providers to reach thin-file and difficult-to-identify demographics while reducing dropout rates.
    James Bruni, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025
  • What’s more, Asian elephants are highly social, highly intelligent, and endangered, raising intractable ethical obstacles to experimenting on them.
    Jeffrey Kluger, TIME, 4 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Reading it, one is reminded, once again, that Trump is a politician who is cunning but semiliterate and ignorant.
    Eliot A. Cohen, The Atlantic, 13 Feb. 2025
  • Sign up The abusive couple were cunning, said Allison Pearson in The Daily Telegraph.
    The Week UK, theweek, 21 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • The show is bolstered by a panel of five hosts — one of them a former contestant, introduced as an emcee in season three — offering witty commentary and analysis.
    Lily Ford, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Feb. 2025
  • Buck is a loquacious, glad-handing oaf who has a boring way with a witty story, and is marked for death.
    Fred Schruers, IndieWire, 27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Through this inventive mashup, Marco Antonio Solís not only bridged genres but also generations, confirming his enduring appeal in the ever-evolving music landscape.
    Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 25 Feb. 2025
  • The cocktail list showcases inventive flavor profiles, including a spritz made with Lillet Blanc, Cava and soda.
    Taryn White, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • His imaginative and surreal architectural style is showcased throughout the city, offering a unique experience of creativity and vision.
    David Nikel, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025
  • Common uses for paper towels range from wiping down countertops after cooking to blotting grease from bacon, but some of the more imaginative ways to use disposable towels around the house may surprise you.
    Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 23 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Solar energy, smart home tech and open-air designs are more popular, too.
    Spencer Elliott, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025
  • Learn about Florida-Friendly Landscaping principles, smart irrigation, vegetable gardening, and flower species to attract bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects.
    Joe Rassel, Orlando Sentinel, 5 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The big picture: Parody accounts from Mount Rainier and Mount Hood are trading playful taunts and humorous one-upmanship, comparing body counts and jesting about whether size matters.
    Christine Clarridge, Axios, 28 Feb. 2025
  • Rough-hewn and flinty, a movie star without stereotypical movie-star looks, Hackman gave even his humorous roles a slightly sinister, unpredictable edge.
    David Morgan, CBS News, 27 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Clever.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clever. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

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