Definition of clevernext
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as in intelligent
having or showing quickness of mind a clever student figured out a trick to do the assignment faster

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective clever differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of clever are adroit, cunning, and ingenious. While all these words mean "having or showing practical wit or skill in contriving," clever stresses physical or mental quickness, deftness, or great aptitude.

a person clever with horses

When might adroit be a better fit than clever?

The words adroit and clever can be used in similar contexts, but adroit often implies a skillful use of expedients to achieve one's purpose in spite of difficulties.

an adroit negotiator

Where would cunning be a reasonable alternative to clever?

The meanings of cunning and clever largely overlap; however, cunning implies great skill in constructing or creating.

a filmmaker cunning in his use of special effects

When is it sensible to use ingenious instead of clever?

While the synonyms ingenious and clever are close in meaning, ingenious suggests the power of inventing or discovering a new way of accomplishing something.

an ingenious software engineer

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 clever That is not a clever closing flourish. Literary Hub, 26 June 2026 ChatGPT is nowhere near as clever as Ava. Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026 This clever plug can transform any run-of-the-mill appliance into a smart device. Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 25 June 2026 While there is no shortage of impressive deals on clever travel accessories and comfy matching sets, Prime Day’s sneaker selection stands out. Melony Forcier, Travel + Leisure, 25 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for clever
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clever
Adjective
  • The Bay is an innovative redevelopment project that's created a signature public park along Sarasota Bay.
    Beth Luberecki, USA Today, 30 June 2026
  • The NACo Achievement Awards recognize innovative county programs that improve services for residents, upgrade working conditions or enhance public participation.
    Howard County Times, Baltimore Sun, 29 June 2026
Adjective
  • Alan was successful, intelligent, social and well-liked.
    Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 28 June 2026
  • Our goal is not to tell you what to think, but to give you the essential knowledge and understanding to come to your own intelligent conclusions.
    David Biller, Christian Science Monitor, 27 June 2026
Adjective
  • That doesn't enable cunning and unprincipled men to subvert the power of the people.
    Lori A Bashian , Larry Fink, FOXNews.com, 30 June 2026
  • For decades, humans mined antibiotic molecules from microbes and tweaked them to develop new drugs, staying ahead of evolution’s cunning countermeasures.
    Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 26 June 2026
Adjective
  • Dear Annabelle makes adorable place cards that have witty sayings or a theme.
    Mark Seliger, Vulture, 22 June 2026
  • Clive was a warm, witty, and generous friend.
    Michael Riedel, Vanity Fair, 22 June 2026
Adjective
  • That disposition compounded into the richest, most inventive society the world has ever seen.
    Anthony Scaramucci, Fortune, 28 June 2026
  • As the clock ticked toward halftime, the Canadians got a little more inventive and put more pressure on the Bafana Bafana penalty area.
    Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 28 June 2026
Adjective
  • The chef’s love for British ingredients and imaginative flavor profiles, coupled with the fact that its menu is entirely dairy- and gluten-free makes its offering quite unique.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 July 2026
  • Del Toro remains one of Hollywood’s most imaginative visual entertainers, and the prospect of visiting his long-dormant underworld later in 2026 promises not just fresh nostalgia but maybe even total immersion.
    Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 30 June 2026
Adjective
  • Share a smart idea with a neighbor, then turn it into a clear message while your mind stays agile.
    Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 30 June 2026
  • The Knicks could, hypothetically, trade a starter to create space beneath the second apron to re-sign Robinson, but breaking up a starting five that just won a title is not a smart idea.
    Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 29 June 2026
Adjective
  • The plebeians have plenty to be furious about, but their representatives, skilled at turning a crowd into a mob, seem hellbent on shoring up their own influence.
    Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026
  • It is stored in plain text in RAM and can theoretically be accessed by administrators, cloud operators, hypervisors, or highly skilled attackers through malware, insider threats, or side-channel attacks.
    Chuck Brooks, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Clever.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clever. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.

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