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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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of shrewd
Even so, the director is shrewd to zero in on the family home—a psychological war zone where secrets fester behind locked doors and nearly every room becomes a hiding place.
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Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 26 Nov. 2024
But Larraín’s film—and contemporary interpreters—are shrewd enough to recognize that the greatest clues may lie in her clothes.
—Liam Hess, Vogue, 25 Nov. 2024
The Kraken pounced quickly and have made a shrewd gamble here.
—Shayna Goldman, The Athletic, 19 Dec. 2024
Wang, a shrewd negotiator, is known for taking her time before striking deals.
—Lisa Lockwood, WWD, 16 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for shrewd 
Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 26 Nov. 2024
But Larraín’s film—and contemporary interpreters—are shrewd enough to recognize that the greatest clues may lie in her clothes.
—Liam Hess, Vogue, 25 Nov. 2024
The Kraken pounced quickly and have made a shrewd gamble here.
—Shayna Goldman, The Athletic, 19 Dec. 2024
Wang, a shrewd negotiator, is known for taking her time before striking deals.
—Lisa Lockwood, WWD, 16 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for shrewd
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shrewd
Adjective
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Instead, the Flow 2 truly shines with these smart features.Ben Sin, Forbes, 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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Trump and Obama’s political rivalry has led to bitter attacks during the past three presidential campaigns.Mabinty Quarshie, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 11 Jan. 2025
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This summer saw a bitter dispute between the U.S. and China over allegations surrounding doping by Chinese swimmers before the 2021 Tokyo Olympics and suggestions from the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) that WADA had not been strong enough in enforcing its rules.Charlie Eccleshare, The Athletic, 10 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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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
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Finding other disease-causing somatic mutations in rheumatology and related specialties will take skill, cunning, and a willingness to test cells and organs throughout the body.Jason Liebowitz, The Atlantic, 2 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Observation Learn how to adapt to people and situations by being an astute observer and better-than-average listener.Expert Panel®, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025
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And an understanding and analysis of the work and the film that is quite astute and eloquent and thoughtful without any other references or baggage in the mix.Brenton Blanchet, People.com, 6 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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In Britain, worries over the country’s borrowing needs contributed to a sharp sell-off in the nation’s government bonds, known as gilts, with the yield on the 10-year note rising 0.24 percentage points, on course for its biggest one-week move in a year.Joe Rennison, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2025
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The design cues of the hands, hour markers, and even lugs are Vacheron design at their best, with sharp, crisp lines.Blake Buettner, Robb Report, 10 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The kids were very cute & the crates were very broken.Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 8 Jan. 2025
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In the coach’s fourth season, the Dolphins need to get less cute and tougher on the ground.Josh Kendall, The Athletic, 7 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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Not every brilliant offensive mind has the leadership savvy of, say, Sean McVay or Kyle Shanahan.Dan Wiederer, Chicago Tribune, 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 21 Jan. 2025.
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