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.

Most films have instead relied on resourceful camerawork, creative license and shrewd editing to bring an authentic, you-are-there quality to footage lensed mainly in and around Cannes, including iconic festival exteriors and the attendant bustle.

From Los Angeles Times • May 12, 2026

Zanjani’s story is a rags-to-riches tale of a man who amassed extraordinary wealth as a shrewd operator for a pressured Iranian regime.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 4, 2026

For all of his polish and shrewd instincts, he is still a relative newcomer to the world of international relations.

From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026

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

From Barron's • Mar. 20, 2026

Scrimgeour stopped too, leaned on his stick, and stared at Harry, his expression shrewd now.

From "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" by J.K. Rowling

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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