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
Relevance
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
Amy Weiss-Meyer, The Atlantic, 8 May 2025
Premiering in January 2023, The Traitors has gone on to widespread acclaim, even winning Emmys for Outstanding Reality Competition Program and Outstanding Host for a Reality or Reality Competition Program (Alan Cumming on cunning form).
—Griff Griffin, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 May 2025
Hunter Ingram, Variety, 23 Feb. 2025
Gilded by privilege and cunning, Glinda is a popular young woman who desires to wield magic.
—Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 23 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cunning
Adjective
In real life, most would-be Proud Boys don’t have cunning, progressive housemates who will throw away their gun parts.
—Amy Weiss-Meyer, The Atlantic, 8 May 2025
Premiering in January 2023, The Traitors has gone on to widespread acclaim, even winning Emmys for Outstanding Reality Competition Program and Outstanding Host for a Reality or Reality Competition Program (Alan Cumming on cunning form).
—Griff Griffin, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 May 2025
Noun
For Mirren, the cunning and cruelty of Whitfield is a timely example of power corrupting absolutely.
—Hunter Ingram, Variety, 23 Feb. 2025
Gilded by privilege and cunning, Glinda is a popular young woman who desires to wield magic.
—Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 23 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cunning
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cunning
Adjective
-
She has been married twice, marrying director Chris Calkins in 2009. 08 of 09 Woody Harrelson as Woody Boyd Woody Harrelson's Woody Boyd joined Cheers in season 4 as a not-so-bright but very cute bartender.—
Kate Hogan,
People.com,
20 May 2025
-
Located about 10 minutes from downtown, the winery has a tasting room and a cute patio for outdoor sipping.—
Amanda Ogle,
Travel + Leisure,
18 May 2025
Adjective
-
Deploying this type of technology at scale could not only help identify at-risk patients for proactive monitoring but also address the global need for medical professionals, with the U.S. alone requiring 122,000 skilled physicians by 2032.—
Max Votek,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2025
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Reporter Kate Bartlett says Ramaphosa, a skilled negotiator who worked alongside Nelson Mandela to end apartheid, may appeal to Trump's transactional side and U.S. efforts to counter China in Africa.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
21 May 2025
Noun
-
Without a viable middle class of writers who can earn a living wage while developing their skills, the industry risks losing diverse voices and innovative storytelling approaches.—
JD Barker,
Rolling Stone,
20 May 2025
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While many professionals focus on avoiding stress altogether, developing effective stress management skills provides a more realistic and beneficial approach.—
Kara Dennison,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2025
Noun
-
As an escaped convict posing as a beloved preacher, and as his gentle, upright twin, Robeson embodies a devastating split between appearance and truth, and whose uncanny doubling plays out in a community shaped by racial violence, spiritual deception, and economic precarity.—
Samantha Bergeson,
IndieWire,
21 May 2025
-
Ellie, however, cannot abide Joel’s deception, and interrupts to tell the truth to Gail, who then slaps Joel and tells him to leave.—
Adam B. Vary,
Variety,
19 May 2025
Adjective
-
Arthritis in your fingers often starts with subtle changes.—
Brandi Jones,
Health,
25 May 2025
-
The navy, white, and subtle red palette nods to the seaside and seamlessly blends into Printemps' signature French elegance.—
Roxanne Robinson,
Forbes.com,
25 May 2025
Adjective
-
These additional components underscore the importance of music, movement, libations, skillful presentation, and audience participation to masquerade more broadly.—
Chadd Scott,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2025
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Who lives and who dies depends on a slew of variable factors: Where they are tried, how skillful their attorneys are, the whims of prosecutors, quirks in the law, the dispositions of judges and jurors, and what victims want.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
11 Apr. 2025
Noun
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But here, Gyllenhaal mesmerizes in a career-best performance that taps into the infinite well of his talent, portraying Iago’s scorching resentment, guile and humor.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA TODAY,
24 Mar. 2025
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All of which is to say, Cooper is very good at playing someone adept at persuasion, either through intimidation or guile.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
9 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Lia Thomas stole a medal through deceit, and this rag has the gall to call him a 'champion'?—
Nick Mordowanec,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 May 2025
-
Maeve doubles down on her deceit, lying to Conrad to cover her own ass.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
11 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cunning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cunning. Accessed 1 Jun. 2025.
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