cunning 1 of 2

adjective

ˈkə-niŋ How to pronounce cunning (audio)
Definition of cunningnext
1
as in cute
clever at attaining one's ends by indirect and often deceptive means a cunning, underhanded plan to win the election by preying on people's fears and prejudices

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in skilled
skillful with the hands only the most cunning cabinetmaker could have crafted such a beautifully proportioned chest of drawers

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

cunning

2 of 2

noun

1
as in slyness
skill in achieving one's ends through indirect, subtle, or underhanded means the cunning with which Tom Sawyer was able to get others to whitewash the fence for him

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2
as in skill
subtle or imaginative ability in inventing, devising, or executing something the unmatched cunning of the scout who led them safely through the trackless wilderness

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3
as in deception
the inclination or practice of misleading others through lies or trickery used cunning and subterfuge to lure unwitting victims into the fraudulent scheme

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word cunning distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of cunning are artful, crafty, foxy, slick, sly, tricky, and wily. While all these words mean "attaining or seeking to attain one's ends by guileful or devious means," cunning suggests the inventive use of sometimes limited intelligence in overreaching or circumventing.

the cunning fox avoided the trap

In what contexts can artful take the place of cunning?

While in some cases nearly identical to cunning, artful implies indirectness in dealing and often connotes sophistication or cleverness.

elicited the information by artful questioning

Where would crafty be a reasonable alternative to cunning?

The synonyms crafty and cunning are sometimes interchangeable, but crafty implies cleverness and subtlety of method.

a crafty lefthander

When is it sensible to use foxy instead of cunning?

The words foxy and cunning can be used in similar contexts, but foxy implies a shrewd and wary craftiness usually involving devious dealing.

a foxy publicity man planting stories

When could slick be used to replace cunning?

In some situations, the words slick and cunning are roughly equivalent. However, slick emphasizes smoothness and guile.

slick operators selling time-sharing

When would sly be a good substitute for cunning?

Although the words sly and cunning have much in common, sly implies furtiveness, lack of candor, and skill in concealing one's aims and methods.

a sly corporate raider

When might tricky be a better fit than cunning?

While the synonyms tricky and cunning are close in meaning, tricky is more likely to suggest shiftiness and unreliability than skill in deception and maneuvering.

a tricky political operative

When can wily be used instead of cunning?

The meanings of wily and cunning largely overlap; however, wily implies skill and deception in maneuvering.

the wily fugitive escaped the posse

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 cunning
Adjective
In real life, most would-be Proud Boys don’t have cunning, progressive housemates who will throw away their gun parts. —Amy Weiss-Meyer, The Atlantic, 8 May 2025 Premiering in January 2023, The Traitors has gone on to widespread acclaim, even winning Emmys for Outstanding Reality Competition Program and Outstanding Host for a Reality or Reality Competition Program (Alan Cumming on cunning form). —Griff Griffin, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 May 2025
Noun
For Mirren, the cunning and cruelty of Whitfield is a timely example of power corrupting absolutely. —Hunter Ingram, Variety, 23 Feb. 2025 Gilded by privilege and cunning, Glinda is a popular young woman who desires to wield magic. —Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 23 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for cunning
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cunning
  1. cute
  2. skilled
  3. skill
  4. deception
  5. subtle
  6. skillful
  7. guile
  8. deceit
Adjective
  • The knotted fabric straps have an elevated look, making these cute enough to wear with your favorite sundresses and skirts.
    — Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 1 June 2025
  • Shows can only be so cute or funny or familiar or fresh.
    — Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 28 May 2025
Definition of cute
Adjective
  • Deploying this type of technology at scale could not only help identify at-risk patients for proactive monitoring but also address the global need for medical professionals, with the U.S. alone requiring 122,000 skilled physicians by 2032.
    — Max Votek, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025
  • The presence of someone skilled, experienced and committed to public service could strengthen the agency, at a time when the federal work force faces unprecedented strain.
    — Kwame Anthony Appiah, New York Times, 21 May 2025
Definition of skilled
Noun
  • Turns out that state budget surplus that Casey’s hubby has been claiming as evidence of his own special skills was propped up all along by COVID-era billions, courtesy of the smiling guy with the aviator glasses and crippling ice cream addiction.
    — Pat Beall, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 June 2025
  • Like everyone else watching, Mascherano marveled at Messi’s skill.
    — Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 1 June 2025
Definition of skill
Noun
  • As an escaped convict posing as a beloved preacher, and as his gentle, upright twin, Robeson embodies a devastating split between appearance and truth, and whose uncanny doubling plays out in a community shaped by racial violence, spiritual deception, and economic precarity.
    — Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 21 May 2025
  • Ellie, however, cannot abide Joel’s deception, and interrupts to tell the truth to Gail, who then slaps Joel and tells him to leave.
    — Adam B. Vary, Variety, 19 May 2025
Definition of deception
Adjective
  • Arthritis in your fingers often starts with subtle changes.
    — Brandi Jones, Health, 25 May 2025
  • The navy, white, and subtle red palette nods to the seaside and seamlessly blends into Printemps' signature French elegance.
    — Roxanne Robinson, Forbes.com, 25 May 2025
Definition of subtle
Adjective
  • These additional components underscore the importance of music, movement, libations, skillful presentation, and audience participation to masquerade more broadly.
    — Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 18 May 2025
  • Who lives and who dies depends on a slew of variable factors: Where they are tried, how skillful their attorneys are, the whims of prosecutors, quirks in the law, the dispositions of judges and jurors, and what victims want.
    — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 11 Apr. 2025
Definition of skillful
Noun
  • While not necessarily with the same resume as Mitchell, Smith’s defensive guile and ability to space the floor with his shooting could stand as a low-cost alternative to Mitchell, likely at the veteran minimum.
    — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 21 May 2025
  • But here, Gyllenhaal mesmerizes in a career-best performance that taps into the infinite well of his talent, portraying Iago’s scorching resentment, guile and humor.
    — Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY, 24 Mar. 2025
Definition of guile
Noun
  • None of these spring explorations of sisterly deceit and self-deception has been able to surpass Apple TV+’s Bad Sisters as the recent genre peak.
    — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 28 May 2025
  • Starring Tom Cruise, the movies are loaded with action, deceit and globe-spanning adventures – everything a good spy film should be.
    — Keith Langston, People.com, 24 May 2025
Definition of deceit

Browse Nearby Words

cumulus
cunning
cunningly
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Cite this Entry

“Cunning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cunning. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.

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