CUNNINGLY Synonyms: 47 Similar and Opposite Words

cunningly

adverb

Definition of cunningly

as in craftily

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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 cunningly Penelope remains faithful and rules Ithaca in his absence, cunningly stalling her suitors. — Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 20 July 2026 But cunningly, in the years since 1945—and responsibly and rightly, too—the United States put together a system where most of the other strong countries were also friends. — David Frum, The Atlantic, 8 Apr. 2026 Instead of kings and queens cunningly maneuvering their armies against their enemies, there’s only an ox of a man and a bald little boy, neither of whom exhibits a clearly superior intellect. — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 13 Jan. 2026 Court filings from the former players allege how Lorch methodically groomed and abused children from some of the nation’s poorest communities, cunningly and cruelly preying on their desperation and love of the city game, on an almost industrial scale. — Luke Cyphers, Sportico.com, 17 Oct. 2025 The complex portrayal wasn’t that far from Göring, who was the guy behind the guy atop the Nazi hierarchy who on the surface was a charming narcissist reputed to be a great dinner party guest, but was at heart a cunningly manipulative villain. — Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 8 Sep. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for cunningly

Adverb

Mungiu craftily plants the seed of this crisis in his opening shot, set in the aftermath of a stinging act of parental discipline.

— Justin Chang, New Yorker, 8 Oct. 2026
As the only standalone English track of the album, its lyrics speak of a situationship so suspended in uncertainty that Selines craftily matched it with the sonic sensation of floating into outer space.

— Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026

Definition of craftily

Adverb

Of the four-person ensemble, I was most intrigued by Rachna Khatau, the wild card of the group whose roles are the most slyly scheming and unpredictable.

— Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026
Leather has had a slyly stylish moment in menswear over the past year, too, with the likes of Alexander Skarsgård and Pedro Pascal reaching for it in lieu of more conventional suiting.

— Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of slyly

Adverb

More insidiously still, the Republican gerrymanders enabled by Callais will surely continue to weaken Black representation in Congress.

— Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 10 Oct. 2026
The film is certainly casting a spell, and whether or not that’s simply cynical (and insidiously effective) marketing doesn’t much matter when you’re caught up in it.

— Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of insidiously

Adverb

The production stalled in 1964 when the couple separated, and Kumari’s health declined sharply over the following years.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 14 Oct. 2026
Inflation dropped sharply, deposits flowed back into the banking system, and the economy switched from negative to positive growth with a surge in exports leading the way.

— Steve H. Hanke, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of sharply

Adverb

There are cities where rats are glimpsed at night, furtively scurrying into a dark corner or among the train tracks.

— David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 18 Sep. 2026
Jordan may wish to exact revenge, and Eddy may want to find one of the victims who has vanished, but both have to go about their work furtively.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of furtively

Adverb

His bed, once artfully tussled, is a feat of military-tight corners.

— Sam Cochran, Architectural Digest, 16 Oct. 2026
While posing artfully in the store’s shop window, Klara catches the eye of Josie (Mia Tharia), who persuades her mother Chrissie (Amy Adams) to buy her as a companion.

— Damon Wise, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of artfully

Adverb

That virtue is undermined here by leads with minimal chemistry, one of them inexpressive and the other archly theatrical, by design if not to rewarding effect.

— David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 21 May 2026
The show, which followed a crooked New Mexican lawyer, played by Bob Odenkirk, was an archly funny drama, shot partly in gritty black-and-white.

— Rachel Syme, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2025

Definition of archly

Browse Nearby Words

cunning

cunningly

cunningness

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

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Synonyms of cunningly

adverb

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