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.

In drawing the moral to this experience, Graham wrote: “One lucky break, or one supremely shrewd decision — can we tell them apart? — may count for more than a lifetime of journeyman efforts.”

From MarketWatch • Jun. 17, 2026

As Tenacity admiringly puts it, that’s “one shrewd detective.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 12, 2026

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

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

He laughed quietly, his sunken, shrewd eyes sparkling perceptively with a cynical and wanton enjoyment.

From "Catch-22" by Joseph Heller

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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