cunning

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "cunning" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who is clever and sly. For example, "The fox was cunning, managing to outwit the farmer several times."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It requires the kind of "rat-like cunning" that Nicholas Tomalin reckoned was one of the three essential qualities for any good journalist.

The Guardian - Sport

Carr, a former NSW premier, pleaded with Labor to be more "canny" and "cunning" in its political strategies and said he knew the Labor government had "lost its way" when it picked a fight over media law reform in the lead-up to a federal election – a move which "tore up the Neville Wran playbook of how to get re-elected".

The Guardian

The fear is, here and everywhere, that this autumn's hardships are just the beginning: there will come a point when no amount of ingenuity, flexibility and cunning can stand in the way of empty coffers.

The Guardian

Whether it's intentional or accidental, its gradual unbundling is not in the best interests of the people of the United Kingdom or any part of it.' Oh, a warning to those who might mistake Mr Ancram's amiable, consensual approach for a lack of low political cunning.

The Guardian

Repealing the Human Rights Act or even quitting the convention it codifies seemed a cunning distraction from the messy compromises to come with the EU.

The Guardian - Opinion

There were mutterings that the chancellor's refusal to rule out a rise in VAT the previous day had been a cunning plan to wrong foot Ed Miliband but it was just as like the prime minister was making up policy on the hoof.

The Guardian

"But I'm worried because the other side is cunning, deceitful and back-stabbing.

The Guardian

"I was struck by the lack of canniness, caution, cunning," Carr said of Labor's period in power since 2007.

The Guardian

Yet for all this cunning surgery, there is a flip-side that makes the scheme harder to swallow – namely the insertion of 5,000 sq metres of commercial space in containers that do not even try to disguise their role as strap-on cash cows.

The Guardian - Arts

Osborne's speech to the conference confirmed that what his colleagues admire about him is not his telegenic charm or rhetorical skills – he is lacking in both departments – but his political cunning, which was on show once more.

The Guardian - Opinion

The web of their relations was shot through with these ambivalences, shade and bright twined with such cunning that their pattern never settled.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone as "cunning", consider the context. The term can imply admiration for cleverness or criticism for deceitful behavior.

Common error

While "cunning" can be effective, avoid overusing it in formal writing, as it can sometimes carry a negative connotation. Consider more neutral alternatives like "astute" or "ingenious" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "cunning" primarily functions to describe a quality of cleverness, often associated with deceit or skill in achieving a goal. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage, with examples highlighting its descriptive power.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "cunning" is a versatile adjective used to describe cleverness, often with implications of deception or strategic skill. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct and commonly used, particularly in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts. While its connotation can vary from admiration to criticism, depending on the context, being mindful of the audience and selecting synonyms when a more neutral tone is required is crucial. Overall, "cunning" is a valuable term for expressing nuanced observations about intelligence and behavior.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slyness

Focuses more on the deceitful and secretive aspects of cleverness.

craftiness

Highlights the skill and artfulness in achieving a goal, sometimes through deception.

ingenuity

Emphasizes cleverness and inventiveness in finding solutions.

artfulness

Suggests skill and grace in deception or manipulation.

guile

Implies deceitful cunning and cleverness in achieving one's aims.

wily

Similar to "cunning" but often suggests a more playful or mischievous nature.

shrewdness

Emphasizes practical intelligence and astuteness.

deviousness

Highlights the indirect and often unethical methods used.

astuteness

Implies keen intelligence and perceptiveness in practical matters.

trickery

Focuses on the use of tricks and deception.

FAQs

How can I use "cunning" in a sentence?

"Cunning" can describe someone who is skilled at deceiving or manipulating others to achieve their goals. For example, "The "cunning strategist" outmaneuvered his opponents."

What's a more positive synonym for "cunning"?

If you want to avoid the negative connotations of "cunning", you can use words like "ingenious", "astute", or "shrewd", which emphasize cleverness and intelligence without implying deceit.

Is "cunning" always negative?

While "cunning" often implies a degree of deception or manipulation, it can sometimes be used to describe someone who is simply very clever and resourceful. The connotation depends heavily on context.

What's the difference between "cunning" and "clever"?

"Clever" generally refers to intelligence and quick-wittedness, while "cunning" suggests a more strategic and potentially deceptive approach. Someone "cunning is crafty" and uses their intelligence to outsmart others.