Definitions

shrewd

[shrood] / ʃrud /

ADJECTIVE

clever, intelligent

Synonyms

STRONGEST

astute cagey canny crafty farsighted ingenious judicious keen penetrating perceptive probing prudent sensible sharp slick sly smart wily wise

WEAK

acute argute artful astucious brainy calculating cunning cutting deep discerning discriminating foxy heady in the know inside knowing on the inside on top of perspicacious piercing profound quick-witted sagacious savvy shark slippery smooth streetwise tricky underhand up on wised up

Antonyms

STRONGEST

blunt dull foolish honest idiotic ignorant inept obtuse senseless slow stupid unclever unintelligent unreasonable unstylish unwise

WEAK

frivolous naive unthinking

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The 56-year-old Iranian American, who grew up in Los Angeles, is the architect of shrewd moves that have brought Paramount within reach of its blockbuster merger that would redefine Hollywood.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 1, 2026

His enthusiasm for the game, respect for the competition and shrewd eye helped launch Rovers from the start.

From BBC • Mar. 29, 2026

“Genius and Anxiety,” Norman Lebrecht’s shrewd title for his 2019 study of angst and Jewish achievement, could just as easily apply to a study of Goldman.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 20, 2026

The turn from smartphone dependency to AI is a shrewd one.

From Barron's • Mar. 20, 2026

Each of their stone-carved gazes was all too shrewd, as though they knew he was about to steal from them.

From "Beasts of Prey" by Ayana Gray

Vocabulary lists containing shrewd

List 2

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And Then There Were None

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Much Ado About Nothing

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