1
2
as in intelligent
having or showing quickness of mind a clever student figured out a trick to do the assignment faster

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3
4
5

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective clever differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of clever are adroit, cunning, and ingenious. While all these words mean "having or showing practical wit or skill in contriving," clever stresses physical or mental quickness, deftness, or great aptitude.

a person clever with horses

When might adroit be a better fit than clever?

The words adroit and clever can be used in similar contexts, but adroit often implies a skillful use of expedients to achieve one's purpose in spite of difficulties.

an adroit negotiator

Where would cunning be a reasonable alternative to clever?

The meanings of cunning and clever largely overlap; however, cunning implies great skill in constructing or creating.

a filmmaker cunning in his use of special effects

When is it sensible to use ingenious instead of clever?

While the synonyms ingenious and clever are close in meaning, ingenious suggests the power of inventing or discovering a new way of accomplishing something.

an ingenious software engineer

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of clever Some demonstrators waved American flags and held cardboard signs with clever slogans. John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Apr. 2025 Meanwhile, the Lakehouse, now led by Michelin two-star Chef Kanji Kobayashi, presents a clever east-meets-west spin—his Nikko-egg carbonara could convert any fusion skeptic. Paul Jebara, Travel + Leisure, 6 Apr. 2025 Here are 12 clever ways to use wax paper both in and out of the kitchen. Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 6 Apr. 2025 But Scott has the power of love on his side (though the power of self-respect would serve him better) and, like many an underdog, relies more on clever trickery than physical prowess to win most of the battles. Ew Staff, EW.com, 3 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for clever
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clever
Adjective
  • Sriram envisions artists who will draw from their unique cultural roots to create innovative contemporary music.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 28 Mar. 2025
  • There isn’t yet a bulletproof replacement for the edible confetti aesthetic of artificial colors, but the natural world is full of colors, and innovative food ingredient companies are mining all that nature can offer.
    Ali Bouzari, Bon Appetit Magazine, 28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Everything about this washer dryer is convenient, including the intelligent dispenser that holds enough detergent and softener for up to 32 loads.
    Christopher Murray, FOXNews.com, 9 Apr. 2025
  • By automating the most repetitive, time-consuming tasks with intelligent, autonomous AI employees, Artisan is redefining what productivity looks like for go-to-market teams.
    Dasha Shunina, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Unlike Mitch McConnell, the taciturn and cunning leader at the time, Thune genuinely tried to answer questions.
    David D. Kirkpatrick, New Yorker, 31 Mar. 2025
  • But what Neil is accused of is something well beyond cunning or perfidy or faithlessness, well beyond questionable morality.
    Mikal Gilmore, Rolling Stone, 16 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Hiromi and Feraud coyly dialogued in the same movement: Feraud strummed way up the neck of his electric bass, and Hiromi, ever witty, mimicked him by flicking the strings of her Yamaha concert grand.
    Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 5 Apr. 2025
  • Sherald’s work is imbued with witty literary references (Jane Austen, Octavia E. Butler, Emily Dickinson, Zora Neale Hurston, and Toni Morrison) and clever art historical homage.
    Natasha Gural, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Don’t skip on the fun cocktail menu with inventive drinks like the Rhinestone Cowboy (a mixture of yuzu liqueur, sparkling sake, and Champagne) or the Eastbound & Down, a refreshing little number made of gin and grapefruit juice.
    Mae Hamilton, Travel + Leisure, 2 Apr. 2025
  • This necessitates a dedicated, inventive team to ensure seamless integration and superior customer experience.
    Elodie Bouneau, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • His novel Blindsight is a remarkably imaginative and thoughtful book, if also utterly terrifying.
    Ollie Barder, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
  • For a wildly imaginative world-building project, the film is mostly ghastly to look at, all flat green-screen and blocky sets for the cast to scramble upon.
    Katie Walsh, Boston Herald, 3 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The style is a challenge: should their comedy be smart and savvy or broad and easy-going?
    Ben Travers, IndieWire, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Generative artificial intelligence will lead to a generation of humans that will use this tool to become 120% smarter than the generation before them—this is the singularity of hope.
    Sam Sammane, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The book often details in a humorous way how his upbringing affected his many relationships — both romantically and professionally.
    Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Director Edgar Wright’s adaptation of the 1982 Stephen King novel (written under the pseudonym Richard Bachman) is a more stylish, grounded and even humorous take than the over-the-top 1987 movie with Arnold Schwarzenegger as the hero and Richard Dawson as a villainous TV show host.
    Brian Truitt, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Clever.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clever. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on clever

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!