shrewd

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "shrewd" is a perfectly correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to refer to someone who is clever, especially when it comes to practical issues or when dealing with other people. For example, you could say: "The CEO has a reputation for being very shrewd when it comes to business negotiations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Fleetwood's decision proved shrewd as 12 months later Leicester paid £1m for him.

The Guardian - Sport

Jonathan Freedland, the Guardian's executive editor, opinion, said: "Gaby Hinsliff is as shrewd an observer of contemporary life as she is of British politics.

The Guardian

Many observers felt confirmed in their view that the Christian Democrats (CDU), while led by a very shrewd power player, are losing any distinctive ideological profile.

The Guardian - Opinion

But amid all the joshing, it must be remembered that Souness, who began his managerial career by transforming Scottish football with bold and astute signings for Rangers, also made some shrewd acquisitions while at Anfield.

The Guardian - Sport

Incidentally, Paul Goodman, himself an ex-MP (he stood down by choice) offers a shrewd portrait of the sort of mild, unheroic backbencher who will decide the outcome of Wednesday's ballot here at the ConservativeHome website.

The Guardian

McLean moved to fill the Dodds-shaped gap by purchasing Iain Ferguson from Rangers for £145,000, a shrewd bit of business that paid dividends throughout the season, the new signing hitting the ground running as the club enjoyed a fantastic start to their marathon campaign.

The Guardian - Sport

Within a year Ferdinand was playing for England but he never forgot Machin's shrewd coaching or kind words at a vulnerable stage in both his career and his life off the field.

The Guardian - Sport

Although the Fine Gael minister's remarks have provoked accusations from Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin that the government is engaged in early scaremongering, the tactic is a shrewd one.

The Guardian

Ravi Bopara pushed stiffly to second slip, Greg Smith was bowled poking forward at his first ball, and Ben Foakes unimpressed to be given out leg before for another golden duck as Groenewald, a 30-year-old South African who has settled in the Midlands, exploited inevitable spring moisture to show again what a shrewd signing he has been from Warwickshire.

The Guardian - Sport

As Osborne sees in Bernstein a shrewd navigator of a dysfunctional public sector, so Bernstein sees in Osborne a chancellor who can deliver.

The Guardian

A shrewd and malevolent psychopath who thinks two moves deeper into the game than any of his opponents?

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "shrewd" when you want to emphasize someone's intelligence in practical matters and their ability to make advantageous decisions.

Common error

Avoid using "shrewd" excessively in highly formal or academic writing where a more neutral term like "astute" or "insightful" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

"Shrewd" primarily functions as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe someone or something possessing sharp intelligence and practical wisdom. Ludwig examples highlight its use in describing people's actions and qualities, aligning with Ludwig AI's assessment of its standard grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

33%

Science

32%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "shrewd" is a versatile and frequently used adjective that describes someone with sharp intelligence and practical wisdom. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical usage is consistently correct. It is commonly found in news and business contexts and can be used to praise strategic thinking and successful decision-making. While alternatives like "astute" or "canny" may be more appropriate in formal settings, "shrewd" remains a strong and effective choice for conveying admiration for someone's practical intelligence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

astute

Similar in meaning, but often implies a more refined and insightful understanding.

canny

Suggests a practical, sometimes sly, cleverness.

clever

A more general term for intelligence; lacks the implication of practicality found in "shrewd".

intelligent

A broad term for mental capacity, without the specific focus on resourcefulness.

sharp-witted

Focuses on quickness of thought and response, rather than overall strategic acumen.

perspicacious

Emphasizes keen observation and understanding, possibly lacking the action-oriented nature of "shrewd".

sagacious

Implies deep wisdom and long-term perspective, which is more profound than simple "shrewd" behavior.

wise

Broader term indicating general intelligence and good judgment, less about practicality.

prudent

Highlights carefulness and avoidance of risk, rather than active cleverness.

বিচক্ষণ

This is a Bengali word that translates closely to "shrewd", offering a cross-linguistic alternative.

FAQs

How to use "shrewd" in a sentence?

You can use "shrewd" to describe someone who is clever and has good judgment, especially in business or practical matters. For instance, "She was a "shrewd investor" who made wise decisions".

What can I say instead of "shrewd"?

You can use alternatives like "astute", "clever", "canny", or "sharp" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "shrewd" or "shrewded"?

"Shrewd" is the correct adjective. "Shrewded" is not a standard English word. Always use "shrewd" to describe someone with sharp intelligence.

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

"Shrewd" implies cleverness and good judgment, while "cunning" suggests a more manipulative and deceitful approach. A "shrewd business person" makes smart deals, while a cunning one might cheat to get ahead.