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
The film stars Frances McDormand as Marge, a shrewd cop who patiently unwinds a complicated series of crimes involving kidnapping, extortion, murder, and the improper use of a woodchipper.
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Danny Horn, EW.com, 29 Dec. 2024
Queen Isabella of Bourbon, Philip’s shrewd and beloved wife of nearly 30 years, had succumbed two years before.
—Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times, 17 Dec. 2024
All the eagle-eyed scouting and shrewd personnel moves wouldn’t matter if the Broncos couldn’t find a replacement who could approximate or improve upon the production Wilson had provided during an 8-9 season in 2023.
—Nick Kosmider, The Athletic, 7 Jan. 2025
The company’s investment in Sid Gentle Films proved a shrewd move after the Killing Eve producer met performance targets following its sale to BBC Studios in 2022.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 6 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for shrewd 
Danny Horn, EW.com, 29 Dec. 2024
Queen Isabella of Bourbon, Philip’s shrewd and beloved wife of nearly 30 years, had succumbed two years before.
—Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times, 17 Dec. 2024
All the eagle-eyed scouting and shrewd personnel moves wouldn’t matter if the Broncos couldn’t find a replacement who could approximate or improve upon the production Wilson had provided during an 8-9 season in 2023.
—Nick Kosmider, The Athletic, 7 Jan. 2025
The company’s investment in Sid Gentle Films proved a shrewd move after the Killing Eve producer met performance targets following its sale to BBC Studios in 2022.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 6 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for shrewd
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shrewd
Adjective
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That led to his breakout success with The Elephant Man, starring John Hurt as the friendly and smart but disfigured title character in Victorian England and Anthony Hopkins as the doctor who tries to treat him.—
Erik Pedersen,
Deadline,
16 Jan. 2025
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Best Packing Essentials Deals For frequent travelers, packing smart is important, and these products can make all the difference.—
Rosie Marder,
Travel + Leisure,
16 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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On Wednesday, morning temperatures dipped into the single digits, with wind chills amplifying the bitter cold.—
Raul A. Reyes,
Newsweek,
23 Jan. 2025
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Listen to this article Loading your audio article As much of the U.S. endures the bitter cold, the MLB hot stove isn’t exactly offering much warmth.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
23 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The episode also introduced Andy Garcia as Galino, a powerful and cunning cartel boss.—
Greg Braxton,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Jan. 2025
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Black Friday had become a competitive event requiring planning and cunning to get the good deals first.—
Mary Meehan,
Forbes,
10 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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While Dortmund retain a reputation as astute talent-spotters able to generate vast profits by identifying outstanding potential, there are few players at the club now — English winger Jamie Gittens aside — who belong in that category.—
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor,
The Athletic,
21 Jan. 2025
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The Franklin Effect: Turning Critics Into Allies One of Franklin’s most astute political strategies was his ability to turn rivals into allies.—
Michael Sheldrick,
Forbes,
18 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Sánchez wasn’t as sharp in July and August, then finished strong in September and authored a suitable start in Game 2 of the National League Division Series against the Mets.—
Matt Gelb,
The Athletic,
22 Jan. 2025
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And some lots are still empty, the grass from winter rains wafting in the wind, along with the sharp echoes of hammers and nail guns.—
Jessica Garrison,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Guests have free access to the hotel’s cute alpine style spa with sauna, steam room and outdoor hot tub.—
Joanne Shurvell,
Forbes,
20 Jan. 2025
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Through cute memes and witty jokes, both groups ridiculed the TikTok ban.—
Jianqing Chen,
The Conversation,
19 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Bateman is an effortless runner and is savvy and precise with his routes.—
Jeff Zrebiec,
The Athletic,
16 Jan. 2025
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This architecturally savvy residence within Telluride’s private, high-alpine community called Gray Head eschews the traditional log cabin style found throughout Colorado in favor of art-forward design.—
Emma Reynolds,
Robb Report,
15 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Created by Tony McNamara, who earned Oscar nominations for his writing work on both The Favourite and Poor Things, The Great offers the same combination of lush costumes and scenery mixed with a biting commentary on the world, and a woman’s place in it.—
Jennifer M. Wood,
WIRED,
5 Nov. 2024
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Her awful journey is a raging scream against the patriarchy and a biting critique of how women are viewed, especially by other women.—
The Week US,
theweek,
17 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near shrewd
Cite this Entry
“Shrewd.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shrewd. Accessed 29 Jan. 2025.
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