SHREWD Synonyms: 207 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'shrewd' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of shrewd are astute , perspicacious , and sagacious . While all these words mean "acute in perception and sound in judgment," shrewd stresses practical, hardheaded cleverness and judgment. // a shrewd judge of character

Q: When is it sensible to use 'astute' instead of 'shrewd'?

While the synonyms astute and shrewd are close in meaning, astute suggests shrewdness, perspicacity, and diplomatic skill. // an astute player of party politics

Q: When could 'perspicacious' be used to replace 'shrewd'?

The meanings of perspicacious and shrewd largely overlap; however, perspicacious implies unusual power to see through and understand what is puzzling or hidden. // a perspicacious counselor saw through the child's facade

Q: When might 'sagacious' be a better fit than 'shrewd'?

While in some cases nearly identical to shrewd , sagacious suggests wisdom, penetration, and farsightedness. // sagacious investors got in on the ground floor

shrewd

adjective

ˈshrüd

Definition of shrewd

as in smart

having or showing a practical cleverness or judgment a shrewd used car dealer who knew how to make the best possible deal shrewd investments that paid off big

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in bitter

causing intense discomfort to one's skin she pulled her coat tighter against the shrewd breeze whipping down the alley

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in cunning

clever at attaining one's ends by indirect and often deceptive means a shrewd operator in the real estate game, she made every buyer think they were getting the deal of the century

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective shrewd differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of shrewd are astute, perspicacious, and sagacious. While all these words mean "acute in perception and sound in judgment," shrewd stresses practical, hardheaded cleverness and judgment.

a shrewd judge of character

When is it sensible to use astute instead of shrewd?

While the synonyms astute and shrewd are close in meaning, astute suggests shrewdness, perspicacity, and diplomatic skill.

an astute player of party politics

When could perspicacious be used to replace shrewd?

The meanings of perspicacious and shrewd largely overlap; however, perspicacious implies unusual power to see through and understand what is puzzling or hidden.

a perspicacious counselor saw through the child's facade

When might sagacious be a better fit than shrewd?

While in some cases nearly identical to shrewd, sagacious suggests wisdom, penetration, and farsightedness.

sagacious investors got in on the ground floor

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 shrewd Californian Fred Karger, who made history in 2012 as the first openly gay person to run for president, had mixed views about the ad, calling it shrewd yet hypocritical. — Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2026 With the blessing of the shrewd but motherly Headmistress Francis (Heather Alicia Simms), Paulina has decided to compete in the Miss Ghana 1986 pageant, hoping to reach the Miss Universe competition. — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 29 Sep. 2026 The potentially shrewd long game for the Dolphins would be drafting Smith - the top prospect seemingly with the lowest floor and highest ceiling - and then wait until 2028 for a quarterback. — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 27 Sep. 2026 Besides being a legendary singer and songwriter of chart-toppers, Parton as a shrewd entrepreneur turned her namesake Tennessee theme park Dollywood into one of the world’s top amusement destinations. — Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 25 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for shrewd

Recent Examples of Synonyms for shrewd

Adjective

Here are the best, smartest and most revolutionary titles the genre created.

— Theara Coleman, TheWeek, 19 Oct. 2026
Apple Turnovers Grandma always appreciated a smart shortcut, and these apple turnovers have that—frozen puff pastry makes the crust on these turnovers quick and easy.

— Jenna Sims, Southern Living, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of smart

Adjective

In the ensuing decade, lawyers at Texas Instruments and at Fairchild fought a bitter court battle over the patent.

— Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026
And as a bitter midterm campaign season enters its final weeks, Bouchon and Goldhirsh understand the stakes.

— Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of bitter

Adjective

Magpies are opportunistic scavengers, incredibly cunning and deceitful and capable of calculated deception.

— Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 28 Sep. 2026
Last week, Alan Cumming’s cunning competition empire The Traitors unsheathed its most diabolical twist yet.

— Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of cunning

Adjective

His astute stand-up and withering, spot-on insights into race, relationships and celebrity have influenced countless comedians and writers.

— Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 10 Oct. 2026
Her astute explanations, along with conversations with former immigration judges and other experts, helped turn a convoluted topic into a clear story.

— Colette Davidson, Christian Science Monitor, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of astute

Adjective

On its face, however, this inspirational message seems in sharp contrast to economic reality.

— Masood Ahmed, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026
Bajaria’s foresight was sharper, investing in local language productions and building up Netflix’s global presence (almost two dozen international offices were opened during Bajaria’s reign).

— Matt Donnelly, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of sharp

Adjective

But this October has shown there are savvy contenders in small markets, too.

— Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2026
But as Huettl had the social media savvy to keep posting her hairstyles for the internet to see, what started out as a small bonding moment soon became a viral sensation.

— Audrey Noble, Vogue, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of savvy

Adjective

Her version is louder and more biting, but never at the sacrifice of the track’s spirit.

— Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 3 Oct. 2026
In 2022, Lee County’s Mosquito Control District decided to try aiming radiation at mosquitoes instead, specifically the biting, disease-carrying kind — Aedes aegypti.

— Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of biting

Browse Nearby Words

shrew

shrewd

shrewdness

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

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Synonyms of shrewd

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