Cunning: meaning, definitions and examples

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cunning

 

[ หˆkสŒnษชล‹ ]

Adjective / Noun
Context #1 | Adjective

smart

Having or showing skill in achieving one's ends by deceit or evasion.

Synonyms

clever, crafty, devious, sly.

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Word Description / Examples
cunning

This word is often used to describe someone who is skillful in achieving their goals through deceit or evasion. It can have a negative connotation.

  • The fox is known for its cunning nature.
  • She used her cunning to escape the difficult situation.
crafty

This word describes someone who is good at achieving their goals through indirect or deceptive means. It often has a slightly negative connotation.

  • The crafty politician managed to outmaneuver his opponents.
  • She gave a crafty smile, knowing she had tricked him.
sly

This word is used to describe someone who is stealthy and clever in a deceitful way. It usually carries a negative connotation.

  • The sly cat managed to steal the fish unnoticed.
  • He gave her a sly wink, indicating he had a secret.
devious

This word is used for describing someone who is intentionally deceitful or misleading. It has a strong negative connotation.

  • His devious plan was eventually uncovered.
  • She was known for her devious ways in the business world.
clever

This term is generally positive and describes someone who is quick to understand, learn, and devise smart solutions.

  • He came up with a clever solution to the problem.
  • She's a very clever student who always gets good grades.

Examples of usage

  • Tom was cunning enough to fool his opponents into believing his plan.
  • She used her cunning mind to outsmart her competitors in the business world.
Context #2 | Noun

intelligence

Skill employed in a shrewd or crafty manner, as in deceiving; guile.

Synonyms

craftiness, cunningness, ingenuity, wile.

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Word Description / Examples
cunning

Cunning is often used to describe someone who is clever and deceitful, particularly in planning to achieve their own goals or outsmart others.

  • The cunning fox outwitted the hunters.
  • She devised a cunning plan to get what she wanted.
ingenuity

Ingenuity highlights inventiveness and cleverness, focusing on the ability to solve problems in creative and innovative ways. It generally has a positive connotation.

  • Her ingenuity in designing the new software was commendable.
  • The child's ingenuity was evident in the way he constructed the model.
craftiness

Craftiness refers to skilled deceit and trickery. It is often used with a somewhat negative connotation, implying slyness or guile.

  • His craftiness earned him a reputation as a shrewd negotiator.
  • The craftiness of the politician was evident in his ability to manipulate public opinion.
wile

Wile refers to the ability to employ subtle tactics and manipulation to achieve one's goals. It often carries a negative connotation, suggesting deceit.

  • Through wile and charm, he managed to convince them to invest.
  • The villain used every wile at his disposal to deceive the hero.

Examples of usage

  • The spy relied on his cunning to gather valuable information.
  • Her cunning allowed her to navigate through difficult situations with ease.

Translations

Translations of the word "cunning" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น astรบcia

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคšเคพเคฒเคพเค•เฅ€

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Gerissenheit

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ licik

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ั…ะธั‚ั€ั–ัั‚ัŒ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ chytroล›ฤ‡

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ็‹ก็Œพ

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท ruse

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ astucia

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท kurnazlฤฑk

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๊ตํ™œํ•จ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุฏู‡ุงุก

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ mazanost

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ prefรญkanosลฅ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ็‹ก็Œพ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ pretkanost

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ slรฆgรฐ

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะฐะนะปะฐะบะตั€ะปั–ะบ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒชแƒ‘แƒ˜แƒ”แƒ แƒ”แƒ‘แƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ hiylษ™gษ™r

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ astucia

Etymology

The word 'cunning' originated from the Middle English word 'cunnan', which means 'to know'. Over time, the word evolved to represent skill and intelligence used in a clever or deceitful manner. The concept of cunning has been depicted in various literary works, showcasing characters who use their wit and guile to achieve their goals.

Word Frequency Rank

Position #9,673 indicates this is an advanced-level word. While not essential for basic communication, it will enhance your ability to understand and create more nuanced content.