less cunning

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less cunning" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that is not as clever or deceitful as another. Example: "While he was known for his cunning strategies, his partner was less cunning and preferred straightforward approaches."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Yet he was no less cunning.

The Economist

(The new Vice-President, Omar Suleiman, is no democrat, and no less cunning than his patron).

The New Yorker

But Mayweather, during the first three rounds of the fight, seemed less cunning than confused.

The New Yorker

Syria's president may be less cunning and murderous than his late father, Hafez, but he is nobody's pushover.

The Economist

Kenny Dalglish, the Liverpool manager, later criticised the decision but deep down he may be hoping that it was indeed the right call as a closer examination of the incident shows that, rather than diving, Carroll may actually have tripped over the ball, proving him to be less cunning and more clumsy.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

But Mr. Van Kleek of the retail federation said that the spate of successful theft owed less to cunning than to new levels of brazenness.

The New York Times - Style

That it was released under the guise of a Swedish band, with the pair's identities concealed, was less a cunning marketing ploy to entice fans with the mystery, than that they had no intention of pursuing it.

Independent

Of course, this only added to the show's siren song, and I always found some less-than-cunning ways to sneak an episode when my parents were distracted.

Vice

In Mr. Hall's "Shrew," Petruchio (Dugald Bruce-Lockhart) is less the customary cunning strategist than what the English would call a yob — a muscle-flexing, ale-swilling lout who regards dropping trou and urinating in public as signs of manliness.

The New York Times

Meanwhile, he said, Mr. Putin is no Stalin: His government is more cunning and less obviously brutal, which makes it harder to explain the more subtle threat he presents.

The New York Times

One can't help reading this passage through the eyes of Lish, who understood that fiction has to stalk its prey with less noise and greater cunning.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity, "less cunning" can effectively highlight a contrast in character or strategy. Use it to show a deliberate choice for honesty or simplicity over manipulation.

Common error

Avoid using "less cunning" when a simpler term like "naive" or "straightforward" would better capture the intended meaning. Overusing "cunning" can sometimes sound overly dramatic or imply a level of deviousness that isn't present.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less cunning" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It modifies a noun, indicating a lower degree of the quality of being cunning when compared to something else. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "less cunning" is a grammatically sound and usable comparative phrase that suggests a reduced level of cleverness or guile. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's best used to highlight a contrast, indicating that someone or something is not as manipulative or shrewd as another. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it carries a neutral register. Alternatives like "not as clever" or "more straightforward" can provide a clearer or more nuanced meaning depending on the specific context. Avoid overusing "cunning" when a simpler term would suffice. Therefore, while the expression is correct, you should evaluate whether there might be a better expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not as clever

Directly replaces "cunning" with a more common synonym, focusing on general intelligence and skill.

not as astute

Substitutes "cunning" with a synonym that highlights perception and understanding, slightly altering the nuance.

less shrewd

Replaces "cunning" with "shrewd", focusing on practical intelligence and resourcefulness in dealing with situations.

not so sly

Uses "sly" instead of "cunning", emphasizing a more subtle and sometimes negative connotation of deceit.

not so wily

Uses "wily" in place of "cunning", stressing a more playful or mischievous type of cleverness.

less artful

Replaces "cunning" with "artful", shifting the emphasis to a lack of skillful maneuvering or manipulation.

more naive

Offers an opposite perspective, highlighting innocence and lack of worldly knowledge rather than diminished cunning.

more straightforward

Indicates a lack of deviousness or manipulation, focusing on honesty and directness as opposed to cunning.

more guileless

Highlights a complete absence of deceit or trickery, contrasting sharply with the concept of cunning.

less subtle

Emphasizes a lack of finesse and indirectness, suggesting a more obvious or clumsy approach.

FAQs

How can I use "less cunning" in a sentence?

You can use "less cunning" to describe someone who is not as clever or manipulative as another person. For example: "While the leader was known for his "cunning strategies", his advisor was less cunning and preferred more direct approaches".

What are some alternatives to "less cunning"?

Alternatives include "not as clever", "more naive", or "more straightforward". The best choice depends on the specific context and the desired nuance.

Is it grammatically correct to say "less cunning"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. "Less" is used to compare quantities or degrees of qualities, and "cunning" is an adjective describing a particular quality. The phrase follows standard grammatical rules.

What's the difference between "less cunning" and "not cunning"?

"Less cunning" implies a comparison, suggesting a lower degree of cunning relative to someone or something else. "Not cunning" simply states the absence of cunning, without implying a comparison. "Less cunning" suggests a spectrum, while "not cunning" suggests a binary state.