cunning
Wily and shrewd
Cunning describes clever deception or skillful scheming to get what you want: a cunning plan, a cunning fox.
The word carries a slightly sinister edge—cunning implies manipulation rather than straightforward intelligence.
As a noun, cunning is this quality itself: She survived by cunning alone.
In older usage, cunning could mean simply skillful or ingenious, without negative connotation.
Stealthily deceptive
- furtiveSecretive and sly
- stealthySecretly cautious in movement
- wilySkilled at deception
- craftyCleverly deceptive
artful · subtle · slippery · cagey · foxy · evasive · secretive · covert
Calculated deceptive tactic
- schemeCalculated strategy, often secretive
- gambitRisky opening for advantage
- ruseDeliberate act of deception
- maneuverDeliberate tactical movement
tactic · machination · trick · dodge · contrivance · stratagem · intrigue · plot
Mentally sharp, discerning
- sharpFine-edged, or astute
- cleverShowing mental quickness
- intelligentHaving mental acuity
- perceptiveQuick to understand
wise · keen · savvy · smart · ingenious · quick-witted · sagacious · discerning
Intentional misleading of others
- trickeryDeliberate deception or fraud
- artificeClever deceptive strategy
- subterfugeDeliberate deception to conceal
- chicaneryDeception through clever manipulation
duplicity · wile · dissembling · pretense · beguilement · sleight · feint · hoodwinking
Crafty and calculating
- manipulativeSkilled at controlling others
- deviousUnderhanded and calculating
- treacherousDisloyal and dangerous
- dishonestInclined to deceive
duplicitous · conniving · underhanded · insidious · unscrupulous · two-faced · false · disingenuous
sneaky
Stealthily deceptive
crafty · artful · subtle · slippery · cagey · foxy · evasive · secretive · covert · elusive
ploy
Calculated deceptive tactic
- schemeCalculated strategy, often secretive
- gambitRisky opening for advantage
- ruseDeliberate act of deception
maneuver · tactic · machination · trick · dodge · contrivance · stratagem · intrigue · plot · feint
astute
Mentally sharp, discerning
- sharpFine-edged, or astute
- cleverShowing mental quickness
- intelligentHaving mental acuity
perceptive · wise · keen · savvy · smart · ingenious · quick-witted · sagacious · discerning · perspicacious
deception
Intentional misleading of others
- trickeryDeliberate deception or fraud
- artificeClever deceptive strategy
- subterfugeDeliberate deception to conceal
chicanery · duplicity · wile · dissembling · pretense · beguilement · sleight · feint · hoodwinking · craft
scheming
Crafty and calculating
- manipulativeSkilled at controlling others
- deviousUnderhanded and calculating
- treacherousDisloyal and dangerous
dishonest · duplicitous · conniving · underhanded · insidious · unscrupulous · two-faced · false · disingenuous · crooked
- Arabian NightsAladdin, Scheherazade, Ali Baba, Arabian Nights, Sinbad
- cunningcraftiness, crafty, guile, slyness, sly
- survival traitscamouflage, stamina, endurance, resilience, adaptability
- court intrigueintrigue, plots, schemes, plotting, conspiracy
- Homeric epicsIliad, Odyssey, Homer, Achilles, Odysseus
- political intrigueintrigue, conspiracy, treason, plot, collusion
cunninghonest
Free from deception
guileless · straightforward · candid · artless · sincere
- cunning foxCrafty vulpine creature
- cunning folkTraditional rural magic workers
- cunning womanTraditional female magic practitioner