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

Dominic Calvert-Lewin proved a very shrewd signing on a free transfer from Everton, while, as expected, the Elland Road bearpit played its part.

From BBC • May 25, 2026

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

From Barron's • Mar. 20, 2026

He is widely seen as a gifted salesman with a knack for jump-starting the sort of viral moments on social media that double as shrewd self-promotion.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 9, 2026

Anyone, therefore, who examines in detail the actions of this man, will find him both a very ferocious lion and a very shrewd fox.

From "The Prince" by Niccolò Machiavelli

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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