Definitions

canny

[kan-ee] / ˈkæn i /

ADJECTIVE

clever, artful

Synonyms

STRONGEST

adroit astute cagey cautious discreet frugal ingenious intelligent judicious prudent shrewd skillful sly subtle wise

WEAK

able acute careful circumspect cunning dexterous foxy having fancy footwork hep knowing nimble-witted perspicacious quick quick-witted sagacious slick slippery smart smooth street smart streetwise wary watchful with it worldly-wise

Antonyms

STRONGEST

awkward careless foolish hasty honest idiotic ignorant imbecile imprudent incautious inept open rash reckless stupid thoughtless uncareful unintelligent unskilled unwise

WEAK

silly

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

It will take more than stolen KitKats and canny marketing to turn the company around.

From Barron's • Jun. 10, 2026

Her versatility - she was threatening with the new ball and canny at the death - will be crucial at the World Cup.

From BBC • Jun. 2, 2026

But that art, Serrano says, was created by Monroe, with equal parts natural magnetism and a canny, rigorous sense of her own strengths.

From Los Angeles Times • May 28, 2026

Griffin even made for himself an industry town called Frostproof—a canny, if defiant, advertising play, named years prior, after the town had survived the mythic 1895 freeze without much issue.

From Slate • Apr. 20, 2026

But he was strong, and canny with his pennies: somehow he saved up enough for a cow — Our Cow. not six years old, and strong enough to plow.

From "Good Masters! Sweet Ladies!: Voices from a Medieval Village" by Laura Amy Schlitz

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