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Shrewdness Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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shrewdness

[หˆสƒruหdnษ™s ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

business

The quality of being clever, practical, and keen in judgment, especially in business or politics.

Synonyms

acumen, astuteness, cunning, sharpness.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
shrewdness

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.
astuteness

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.
cunning

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.
sharpness

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.
acumen

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.

Examples of usage

  • His shrewdness in negotiations helped him secure a profitable deal.
  • She relied on her shrewdness to outmaneuver her competitors in the market.
Context #2 | Noun

behavior

The ability to understand and deal with a situation in a quick and skillful way without being deceived or tricked.

Synonyms

acuity, discernment, perceptiveness, sagacity.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
shrewdness

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.
discernment

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.
perceptiveness

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.
sagacity

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.
acuity

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.

Examples of usage

  • She showed great shrewdness in handling the difficult situation.
  • His shrewdness enabled him to navigate through the complex social dynamics.

Translations

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Origin of 'shrewdness'

The word 'shrewdness' originated from Middle English 'shreudnesse', derived from the Old English word 'scrฤ“adnes' meaning 'wickedness, maliciousness'. Over time, the meaning evolved to represent intelligence and cleverness, particularly in practical matters.

See also: shrew, shrewd.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #22,719, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.