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
Arthur I. Cyr, Chicago Tribune, 19 Mar. 2025
Esme forgoes a generic entreaty at the feet of her girlboss and instead makes a cunning personal plea for better judgment from her mentor.
—Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 25 Apr. 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
Publicly cool and politically cunning, Clinton moved ahead in the public opinion polls.
—Arthur I. Cyr, Chicago Tribune, 19 Mar. 2025
Esme forgoes a generic entreaty at the feet of her girlboss and instead makes a cunning personal plea for better judgment from her mentor.
—Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 25 Apr. 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
-
Leather Small Crossbody Bag Jennifer Garner and Judy Greer just wore cute and functional outfits that reminded us how convenient crossbody bags are.—
Isabel Garcia,
People.com,
7 May 2025
-
Wine corks also make cute place card holders and wine glass charms.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
7 May 2025
Adjective
-
The area’s labor pool can satisfy practically any employer’s requirements, from upper management, technical and office workers to skilled employees for the production line.—
Rohit Arora,
Forbes.com,
10 May 2025
-
While patients and providers say teletherapy is effective and easier to get than in-person services, experts in the field noted that teletherapy often requires a skilled mental health practitioner trained to pick up subtle communication cues.—
Phillip Reese,
Los Angeles Times,
9 May 2025
Noun
-
In this sports competition, athletes on the Red Team and the Blue Team put their physical and mental skills to the test against a series of innovative circuits and challenges.—
Armando Tinoco,
Deadline,
8 May 2025
-
His first-period goal was a reminder of his skill and experience: a quality tipped shot that takes years of practice to master.—
Joshua Kloke,
New York Times,
8 May 2025
Noun
-
Through shocking testimonies from government insiders, confidential documents, and private audio recordings from the highest level of the military, BODYGUARD OF LIES exposes the tangled web of deception fed to the American public by the U.S. government during its 20-year war in Afghanistan.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
7 May 2025
-
Mauriello, a senior lecturer at the University of Maryland, said in his experience, people's sympathetic nervous system could be activated by a host of reasons — beyond deception.—
Juliana Kim,
NPR,
30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
With its strapless neckline, subtle side slit, and body-hugging silhouette, it was made for sipping cocktails under palm trees in Miami or dancing the night away in Barcelona.—
Rosie Marder,
Travel + Leisure,
13 May 2025
-
For example, comparing transcripts side by side can reveal subtle shifts in a witness' narrative, prompting further scrutiny.—
Beth Worthy,
Forbes.com,
13 May 2025
Adjective
-
Newton’s jewels are alive with her mastery of design, composition, skillful use of materials, and an instinct for creating irresistible objects.—
Kyle Roderick,
Forbes.com,
24 Apr. 2025
-
The show’s real draw is its cast, which expands to include Matthew Rhys as a troubled detective, and a skillful adaptation that highlights the glossiest, cleverest elements of classic Christie—and adds a pinch of eros.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
30 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
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
-
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
-
In Towards Zero, Rhys plays a troubled detective who tries to untangle a toxic web of jealousy, deceit and dysfunction.—
Brianne Tracy,
People.com,
29 Apr. 2025
-
But today, finally, Santos has been held accountable for his years of fraud, deceit and theft.—
Barnini Chakraborty,
The Washington Examiner,
25 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cunning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cunning. Accessed 20 May. 2025.
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