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cunning

cun·ning

cunning

 
pronunciation:
kuh nIng
parts of speech:
adjective, noun
features:
Word Combinations (adjective, noun)
part of speech: adjective
definition 1: adept at subtle or deceptive planning or action; crafty; shrewd.
He was a cunning man who was determined to have sole influence over the president.Cunning and manipulative, he always found a way to get what he desired.
synonyms:
artful, crafty, foxy, shrewd, wily
antonyms:
honest, simple
similar words:
calculating, captious, deceitful, fraudulent, guileful, insidious, resourceful, slick, sly, smart, subtle, tricky
definition 2: done with skill, dexterity, or ingenuity.
He congratulated himself on his cunning scheme.
synonyms:
artful, clever, dexterous, ingenious, skillful
antonyms:
half-baked, ill-conceived, lame, shoddy, sloppy
Word CombinationsSubscriber feature About this feature
 
part of speech: noun
definition 1: subtle or deceptive planning or action; craftiness; shrewdness.
The prisoner used all his cunning in planning his escape.The plot required a great deal of nerve and cunning.
synonyms:
artfulness, craftiness, foxiness, shrewdness
similar words:
craft, deceit, duplicity, guile, subtlety, trickery
definition 2: skill, dexterity, or ingenuity.
We admired the cunning with which the gadget was put together.
synonyms:
adeptness, dexterity, ingenuity, skill
similar words:
address, artifice
Word CombinationsSubscriber feature About this feature
derivations: cunningly (adv.), cunningness (n.)