Shrewdness: meaning, definitions and examples

Mentioned earlier: Describes someone who is very clever and makes good judgments, especially in practical matters. Can imply too much focus on personal gain.

• Her shrewdness in business negotiations gave her a competitive edge.
• With remarkable shrewdness, he managed to save the company from bankruptcy.

Highlights sharp, perceptive thinking and the ability to understand situations or people very well.

• His astuteness in reading people made him an effective negotiator.
• The CEO's astuteness in strategic planning led to the company's success.

Describes a cleverness that is often used in deceitful or dishonest ways. It has a negative connotation.

• The fox is often depicted as a cunning animal in fables.
• Her cunning plan to outsmart her rivals involved several deceptive tricks.

Indicates clear, quick, and often critical thinking. It can sometimes have a slightly negative connotation, implying critical or piercing remarks.

• His sharpness in debate left his opponent speechless.
• The teacher's sharpness kept the students on their toes.

Refers to the ability to make quick, good decisions and have deep understanding, especially in a particular area like business or politics.

• His financial acumen impressed all his colleagues.
• She has remarkable acumen in identifying market trends.

Use 'shrewdness' to describe someone who is very good at making practical decisions and judgments. It often implies cleverness or astuteness in a business context.

• Her shrewdness in negotiating the contract saved the company thousands of dollars.
• He showed great shrewdness in his investment choices.

Use 'discernment' to describe the ability to make good judgments about people or situations. It involves insight and understanding that go beyond what is obvious.

• Her discernment in choosing her friends has always impressed me.
• With discernment, he could tell who was genuinely interested in the project.

Use 'perceptiveness' to describe someone who is able to notice and understand things that are not obvious. It implies a deeper sensitivity to nuances.

• Her perceptiveness made her an excellent therapist.
• The author's perceptiveness is evident in his depiction of the characters' emotions.

Use 'sagacity' to describe profound wisdom and good judgment, often associated with age and experience. It is typically a more formal term.

• The elder's sagacity was revered by the entire community.
• His sagacity in court cases earned him a reputation as a wise and fair judge.

Use 'acuity' to refer to keen insight or sharpness, especially in perception or thought. Often used in contexts related to mental or sensory sharpness.

• His intellectual acuity was evident during the debate.
• The acuity of her vision allowed her to notice the smallest details.