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shrewd

adjective
\ ˈshrüd How to pronounce shrewd (audio) , especially Southern ˈsrüd\

Definition of shrewd

1a : marked by clever discerning awareness and hardheaded acumen shrewd common sense
b : given to wily and artful ways or dealing a shrewd operator
2a : severe, hard a shrewd knock
b : sharp, piercing a shrewd wind
3 archaic : mischievous
4 obsolete : abusive, shrewish
5 obsolete : ominous, dangerous
Other Words from shrewd Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about shrewd

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Other Words from shrewd

shrewdly adverb
shrewdness noun

Choose the Right Synonym for shrewd

shrewd, sagacious, perspicacious, astute mean acute in perception and sound in judgment. shrewd stresses practical, hardheaded cleverness and judgment. a shrewd judge of character sagacious suggests wisdom, penetration, and farsightedness. sagacious investors got in on the ground floor perspicacious implies unusual power to see through and understand what is puzzling or hidden. a perspicacious counselor saw through the child's facade astute suggests shrewdness, perspicacity, and diplomatic skill. an astute player of party politics

Examples of shrewd in a Sentence

According to Frank Luntz, Republican pollster and spinmeister, these younger working women with small children are critical swing voters. By dint of focus groups and shrewd professional questioning, Luntz has determined what these women need most—more time in their lives. He seemed to regard this finding as a considerable coup. — Molly Ivins, Mother Jones, September/October 2004 When Ann Richards fractured her hand in a fall nine years ago, she went to the doctor for a bone density test only to learn that she had … an early form of osteoporosis. The diagnosis spurred the former Texas governor, whose mother and grandmother also suffered from the disease, to write I'm Not Slowing Down: Winning My Battle with Osteoporosis … an inspiring little volume filled with the author's shrewd insights into healthcare, gender and, yes, politics. — Julie Hale, Book Page, August 2003 One shrewd political tactician who knew what it was like to lose a close election watched Goldwater closely. Nixon had an eye on a comeback in 1968 and knew he needed the South—all of it this time. — Jon Meacham, Newsweek, 23 Dec. 2002 But a growing empire produces tough challenges. Winfrey is used to ironclad control. A shrewd businesswoman, she still signs all the checks of more than $1,000 for her Harpo Entertainment Group, and she meticulously scrutinizes the smaller ones that others sign for her. — Lynette Clemetson, Newsweek, 8 Jan. 2001 She's shrewd about her investments. a shrewd used car dealer who knew how to make the best possible deal
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Recent Examples on the Web

 Johnson has been considered a shrewd politician, who long aspired to Britain’s top job. — Washington Post, "‘The Trumpization of U.K. politics’: Boris Johnson is busting political norms," 9 Sep. 2019 Johnson has been considered a shrewd politician, who long aspired to Britain’s top job. — Karla Adam, BostonGlobe.com, "‘The Trumpization of UK politics’: Boris Johnson is busting political norms," 8 Sep. 2019 Volatility is exciting and potentially profitable for shrewd options investors. — Kevin Kelleher, Fortune, "This Little Noticed S&P Index Is Up 25% This Year—and Offers a Hedge Against Wild Market Swings," 5 Sep. 2019 The four-year varsity player, All-Metro first-team pick and captain brings shrewd technical and tactical awareness to the middle of the field for the defending IAAM A champion Eagles. — Baltimore Sun Staff, baltimoresun.com, "2019 Baltimore-area girls soccer players to watch," 2 Sep. 2019 Just as deftly, Gilpin evokes how Debbie’s empathy melds with her shrewd opportunism. — Sarah Larson, The New Yorker, "In Season 3, “GLOW” Raises the Stakes," 30 Aug. 2019 The interest rates on mortgages are among the cheapest forms of borrowing and thus can be a shrewd way to pay off more costly loans such as credit-card balances. — Russ Wiles, azcentral, "How to adjust your borrowing, saving and investing as interest rates continue their decline," 30 July 2019 The Yankees have weathered numerous injuries in part because of the shrewd moves to acquire infielder D.J. LeMahieu, outfielder Mike Tauchman, third baseman Gio Urshela and the relief pitchers Zack Britton and Adam Ottavino. — James Wagner, New York Times, "Yankees-Dodgers Is Both a Rarity and a Potential Playoff Preview," 23 Aug. 2019 There aren’t many series that can marry this kind of openheartedness with such shrewd insight, and that alone makes Bea’s comedy an easy win of a watch. — Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, "This Way Up Is a Bountiful Binge Watch," 22 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'shrewd.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of shrewd

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

History and Etymology for shrewd

Middle English shrewed, from shrewe + -ed entry 1

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More Definitions for shrewd

shrewd

adjective
How to pronounce shrewd (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of shrewd

: having or showing an ability to understand things and to make good judgments : mentally sharp or clever

See the full definition for shrewd in the English Language Learners Dictionary

shrewd

adjective
\ ˈshrüd How to pronounce shrewd (audio) \
shrewder; shrewdest

Kids Definition of shrewd

: showing quick practical cleverness a shrewd businessman

Other Words from shrewd

shrewdly adverb
shrewdness noun

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