Find the word that fits

Cunning: alternatives and connections

Begin with the reviewed alternatives, then explore broader connections without treating every related word as an automatic substitute.

Try an example: important law show help change happy
26,102 words currently have published synonym-style alternatives
90,593 searchable synonym connections
350,924 published thesaurus relationships of every type
Start with the meaning

Cunning

Knowing; skillful; dexterous.

64 useful connections shown 26 reviewed relationships and 38 broader connections.
Best place to begin

Reviewed alternatives and contrasts

These links were deliberately created. Use the interchangeability score and guidance to judge whether a word will work in your sentence.

Similar meaning 6

Adroit 84% connected

Dexterous in the use of the hands or in the exercise of the mental faculties; exhibiting skill and readiness in avoiding danger or escaping difficult…

oewn 2023 50% interchangeable

Open English WordNet links these adjective senses as similar in meaning; they are not necessarily interchangeable.

Adroit 84% connected

Dexterous in the use of the hands or in the exercise of the mental faculties; exhibiting skill and readiness in avoiding danger or escaping difficult…

oewn 2023 50% interchangeable

Open English WordNet links these adjective senses as similar in meaning; they are not necessarily interchangeable.

Artful 84% connected

Performed with, or characterized by, art or skill.

oewn 2023 50% interchangeable

Open English WordNet links these adjective senses as similar in meaning; they are not necessarily interchangeable.

Artful 84% connected

Performed with, or characterized by, art or skill.

oewn 2023 50% interchangeable

Open English WordNet links these adjective senses as similar in meaning; they are not necessarily interchangeable.

Attractive 84% connected

Having the power or quality of attracting or drawing; as, the attractive force of bodies.

oewn 2023 50% interchangeable

Open English WordNet links these adjective senses as similar in meaning; they are not necessarily interchangeable.

Attractive 84% connected

Having the power or quality of attracting or drawing; as, the attractive force of bodies.

oewn 2023 50% interchangeable

Open English WordNet links these adjective senses as similar in meaning; they are not necessarily interchangeable.

Broader term 2

Artfulness 76% connected

The quality of being artful; art; cunning; craft.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a broader lexical category for at least one sense.

Perspicacity 76% connected

The state of being perspicacious; acuteness of sight or of intelligence; acute discernment.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a broader lexical category for at least one sense.

Synonym 18

Clever 92% connected

Possessing quickness of intellect, skill, dexterity, talent, or adroitness; expert.

oewn 2023 68% interchangeable

Open English WordNet places these words in at least one shared synset. They share a lexicalised sense, but context, register and collocation should still be checked before substitution.

Craft 92% connected

Strength; might; secret power.

oewn 2023 68% interchangeable

Open English WordNet places these words in at least one shared synset. They share a lexicalised sense, but context, register and collocation should still be checked before substitution.

Craftiness 92% connected

Dexterity in devising and effecting a purpose; cunning; artifice; stratagem.

oewn 2023 68% interchangeable

Open English WordNet places these words in at least one shared synset. They share a lexicalised sense, but context, register and collocation should still be checked before substitution.

Crafty 92% connected

Relating to, or characterized by, craft or skill; dexterous.

oewn 2023 68% interchangeable

Open English WordNet places these words in at least one shared synset. They share a lexicalised sense, but context, register and collocation should still be checked before substitution.

Cute 92% connected

Clever; sharp; shrewd; ingenious; cunning.

oewn 2023 68% interchangeable

Open English WordNet places these words in at least one shared synset. They share a lexicalised sense, but context, register and collocation should still be checked before substitution.

Foxiness 92% connected

The state or quality of being foxy, or foxlike; craftiness; shrewdness.

oewn 2023 68% interchangeable

Open English WordNet places these words in at least one shared synset. They share a lexicalised sense, but context, register and collocation should still be checked before substitution.

Foxy 92% connected

Like or pertaining to the fox; foxlike in disposition or looks; wily.

oewn 2023 68% interchangeable

Open English WordNet places these words in at least one shared synset. They share a lexicalised sense, but context, register and collocation should still be checked before substitution.

Guile 92% connected

Craft; deceitful cunning; artifice; duplicity; wile; deceit; treachery.

oewn 2023 68% interchangeable

Open English WordNet places these words in at least one shared synset. They share a lexicalised sense, but context, register and collocation should still be checked before substitution.

Guileful 92% connected

Full of guile; characterized by cunning, deceit, or treachery; guilty.

oewn 2023 68% interchangeable

Open English WordNet places these words in at least one shared synset. They share a lexicalised sense, but context, register and collocation should still be checked before substitution.

Ingenious 92% connected

Possessed of genius, or the faculty of invention; skillful or promp to invent; having an aptitude to contrive, or to form new combinations; as, an in…

oewn 2023 68% interchangeable

Open English WordNet places these words in at least one shared synset. They share a lexicalised sense, but context, register and collocation should still be checked before substitution.

Knavish 92% connected

Like or characteristic of a knave; given to knavery; trickish; fraudulent; dishonest; villainous; as, a knavish fellow, or a knavish trick.

oewn 2023 68% interchangeable

Open English WordNet places these words in at least one shared synset. They share a lexicalised sense, but context, register and collocation should still be checked before substitution.

Slick 92% connected

See Schlich.

oewn 2023 68% interchangeable

Open English WordNet places these words in at least one shared synset. They share a lexicalised sense, but context, register and collocation should still be checked before substitution.

Sly 92% connected

Dexterous in performing an action, so as to escape notice; nimble; skillful; cautious; shrewd; knowing; -- in a good sense.

oewn 2023 68% interchangeable

Open English WordNet places these words in at least one shared synset. They share a lexicalised sense, but context, register and collocation should still be checked before substitution.

Slyness 92% connected

The quality or state of being sly.

oewn 2023 68% interchangeable

Open English WordNet places these words in at least one shared synset. They share a lexicalised sense, but context, register and collocation should still be checked before substitution.

Tricksy 92% connected

Exhibiting artfulness; trickish.

oewn 2023 68% interchangeable

Open English WordNet places these words in at least one shared synset. They share a lexicalised sense, but context, register and collocation should still be checked before substitution.

Tricky 92% connected

Given to tricks; practicing deception; trickish; knavish.

oewn 2023 68% interchangeable

Open English WordNet places these words in at least one shared synset. They share a lexicalised sense, but context, register and collocation should still be checked before substitution.

Wiliness 92% connected

The quality or state of being wily; craftiness; cunning; guile.

oewn 2023 68% interchangeable

Open English WordNet places these words in at least one shared synset. They share a lexicalised sense, but context, register and collocation should still be checked before substitution.

Wily 92% connected

Full of wiles, tricks, or stratagems; using craft or stratagem to accomplish a purpose; mischievously artful; subtle.

oewn 2023 68% interchangeable

Open English WordNet places these words in at least one shared synset. They share a lexicalised sense, but context, register and collocation should still be checked before substitution.

Explore further

Words connected by meaning

Their definitions overlap or refer to similar ideas. Use these to widen your search, then compare the exact meanings.