craftiness

USAGE SUMMARY

"craftiness" is an accurate and acceptable word in written English.
You can use it to describe something as sly, cunning, or clever. For example, "She demonstrated her craftiness by outsmarting her opponents in the debate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But political craftiness was as important for Eisenhower as his good fortune, as laid out in a 1994 biography by Fred Greenstein, a Princeton academic, entitled "The Hidden-Hand Presidency".

The Economist

Mr Lamy and Ms Barshefsky formed a powerful coalition when they agreed with each other, and did battle as equals (his intellectual craftiness against her tough-as-nails negotiating) when they did not.Ms Barshefsky's point of view on the idea of stripping her post of cabinet rank was predictably blunt: "Our trading partners would be dumbfounded dumbfounded— if that were to occur".

The Economist

THERE is good reason to admire the craftiness of Yemen's embattled president, Ali Abdullah Saleh.

The Economist

He is considered fair game for all manner of theories about his mood swings, his loneliness and his craftiness.

The Economist

Mr Lamy and Ms Barshefsky formed a powerful coalition when they agreed with each other, and did battle as equals (his intellectual craftiness against her tough-as-nails negotiating) when they did not.

The Economist

The contrast between Afghan government hopelessness and insurgent craftiness could hardly have been more stark.

The Economist

His often untidy line and knowingly casual accents of tone produced (at will) sensations of chill weather, of ecstasies of gluttony, of juvenile pride, or of legal craftiness.

Encyclopedia Britannica

I love his craftiness, his wiliness, his moments of purest farce and tragedy.

Independent

What is particularly galling is the newfound craftiness evinced by these old stagers, especially New Order.

Independent

What followed illustrated another unappreciated truth about the new Pope – his extreme political craftiness.

Independent

"He was an American idealist who respected the craft of politics, whilst having a nose for the craftiness of politicians".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a positive attribute, consider alternatives like "astuteness" or "ingenuity" to avoid negative connotations sometimes associated with "craftiness".

Common error

While "craftiness" is widely understood, in formal or academic writing, opting for more neutral terms like "strategic thinking" or "tactical skill" can enhance the credibility and objectivity of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The noun "craftiness" functions as a descriptor of a quality or attribute, typically referring to the skill in deception or clever manipulation. It is used to characterize a person's or entity's way of achieving goals, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Encyclopedias

13%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "craftiness" is a commonly used noun that describes skill in deception or clever manipulation. Ludwig AI confirms that "craftiness" is grammatically correct, as demonstrated by numerous examples from news sources like The New York Times and The Economist. While generally acceptable, it's important to consider the context and choose alternative terms like "astuteness" or "ingenuity" when a more positive or formal connotation is desired. Be mindful of potential negative implications of deceit when using this term. The use of "craftiness" is very common in News & Media.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cunning

Highlights the use of cleverness and deception to achieve one's aims.

slyness

Emphasizes a secretive and cunning nature.

guile

Suggests skillful deceit or trickery.

wiliness

Indicates a clever, deceptive, and manipulative approach.

astuteness

Refers to the ability to accurately assess situations or people and turn this to one's advantage.

shrewdness

Implies sharp intelligence and practical wisdom, especially in business or financial matters.

deviousness

Focuses on the use of indirect and often dishonest means to achieve an objective.

artfulness

Implies skill and ingenuity, often with a subtle or deceptive quality.

ingenuity

Highlights cleverness and originality in problem-solving or invention, often implying resourcefulness.

resourcefulness

Emphasizes the ability to find quick and clever ways to overcome difficulties.

FAQs

How can I use "craftiness" in a sentence?

"Craftiness" is often used to describe someone's ability to achieve their goals through clever or cunning means. For example, "The negotiator's craftiness helped secure a favorable deal."

What are some synonyms for "craftiness"?

Synonyms for "craftiness" include "cunning", "slyness", "guile", "wiliness", and "astuteness". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "craftiness" a positive or negative trait?

Whether "craftiness" is perceived positively or negatively depends on the context. It can imply cleverness and resourcefulness in some situations, but also deceitfulness or manipulation in others.

What's the difference between "craftiness" and "ingenuity"?

"Craftiness" often suggests a degree of deception or manipulation, while "ingenuity" typically refers to cleverness and originality in problem-solving without necessarily implying deceit.