canniness

noun

Definition of canninessnext
1
as in intelligence
exceptional discernment and judgment especially in practical matters negotiates business deals with all of the proverbial canniness of an old-time horse trader

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in cunning
skill in achieving one's ends through indirect, subtle, or underhanded means the canniness with which she negotiated her contract as spokesperson for the shoe manufacturer

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for canniness
  1. intelligence
  2. cunning
  3. wit
  4. artfulness
  5. shrewdness
  6. subtlety
  7. astuteness
  8. acumen
Noun
  • The drills include amphibious landing, air and missile defense and mine sweeping, as well as intelligence gathering, logistics and resupply and casualty evacuation on several remote islands, including Tanegashima.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Other parts of government already contract out rocket launches, cloud storage, satellite intelligence and artificial-intelligence analysis to the tech sector.
    — Sarah Scoles, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of intelligence
Noun
  • Since the second Inauguration, the Trumps and their satraps have operated with all the commercial cunning of the Corleone family; the White House is their front, their Genco Pura Olive Oil Company.
    — David Remnick, New Yorker, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Rhaenyra also dismisses Mysaria, a wise move carried out in a very unwise manner, given the woman’s cunning.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of cunning
Noun
  • Much has been made of Winter’s idiosyncratic star power, and as an extremely tall, wet-dog-handsome instrumental virtuoso with a one-of-a-kind voice and just enough self-aware wit and lacerating lyricism to keep it relatable, that’s indisputable.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Now completed by his son, David Greaves, this documentary offers an intimate time capsule of a generation’s wit, debates and unmistakable style — inviting audiences to spend an evening in the company of history.
    — Katherine Brodsky, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of wit
Noun
  • The term seems to imply a mastery of all the resources of a form, displayed in a surprising context without self-conscious artfulness.
    — Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2026
  • No need to get bogged down in questions about provenance, artfulness, long-form storytelling, or even metaphors.
    — Robin Givhan, Vanity Fair, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of artfulness
Noun
  • Spain’s shrewdness came in their refusal to engage with off-the-ball trivialities.
    — Adam Crafton, New York Times, 20 July 2026
  • Instead, Franklin will rise by virtue of hard work and (actual) shrewdness.
    — John Swansburg, The Atlantic, 15 June 2026
Definition of shrewdness
Noun
  • The Concept 7 Protection’s subtlety is a result of it being designed to provide security while moving quietly through the regular world, as opposed to an active war zone.
    — Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 14 Oct. 2026
  • One of my personal highlights was the Dries Van Noten show, which demonstrated a particularly sophisticated approach to color, combining richness, subtlety and emotion.
    — Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of subtlety
Noun
  • The attack was a move that the usually hesitant Mas had never previously attempted, let alone pulled off, while the successful deployment of a satellite rider demonstrated tactical astuteness that the team have often been accused of lacking.
    — Chris Marshall-Bell, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of astuteness
Noun
  • Cignetti has tapped into a distinctly Hoosier brand of team pride, which proves that his acumen is just as strong off the football field as on it.
    — Domenica Bongiovanni, IndyStar, 28 Jan. 2026
  • The guys up at Auburn rave about his intelligence, his football acumen and his work ethic.
    — Creg Stephenson | [email protected], al, 20 Jan. 2023
Definition of acumen
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.

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cannily
canniness
canning
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Cite this Entry

“Canniness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/canniness. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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