Definitions

shrewd

[shrood] / ʃrud /

ADJECTIVE

clever, intelligent

Synonyms

STRONGEST

astute cagey canny crafty farsighted ingenious judicious keen penetrating perceptive probing prudent sensible sharp slick sly smart wily wise

WEAK

acute argute artful astucious brainy calculating cunning cutting deep discerning discriminating foxy heady in the know inside knowing on the inside on top of perspicacious piercing profound quick-witted sagacious savvy shark slippery smooth streetwise tricky underhand up on wised up

Antonyms

STRONGEST

blunt dull foolish honest idiotic ignorant inept obtuse senseless slow stupid unclever unintelligent unreasonable unstylish unwise

WEAK

frivolous naive unthinking

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.

A relentlessly driven, shrewd dealmaker and entrepreneur, Allen is used to defying skeptics and seeing opportunity in assets overlooked by others.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 8, 2026

Dominic Calvert-Lewin proved a very shrewd signing on a free transfer from Everton, while, as expected, the Elland Road bearpit played its part.

From BBC • May 25, 2026

A bit more examination reveals that Rory’s heavily mortgaged ancestral manse is ripe for foreclosure, so the shrewd Birdie and a few new acquaintances step in with an unorthodox plan to stop such proceedings.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 15, 2026

The turn from smartphone dependency to AI is a shrewd one.

From Barron's • Mar. 20, 2026

“He was very shrewd that way,” Nanci says.

From "A Deadly Wandering: A Mystery, a Landmark Investigation, and the Astonishing Science of Attention in the Digital Age" by Matt Richtel

Vocabulary lists containing shrewd

List 2

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And Then There Were None

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Much Ado About Nothing

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