shrewdest
Sharpest of all
Shrewdest is the superlative form of shrewd, meaning having the sharpest judgment or most cunning perception.
Someone described as the shrewdest sees through pretense and understands situations better than others: She was the shrewdest negotiator at the table.
The word suggests practical intelligence rather than book learning.
Quick to understand
- sharpFine-edged, or astute
- keenSharp or enthusiastic
- discerningHaving keen judgment
- cleverShowing mental quickness
intelligent · savvy · quick-witted · insightful · perspicacious · acute · analytical · smart
Cleverly deceptive
- wilySkilled at deception
- slyCleverly deceptive
- deviousUnderhanded and calculating
- schemingCrafty and calculating
artful · foxy · manipulative · guileful · conniving · tricky · cagey · underhanded
Wisdom keeper or seasoning
- learnedHaving much knowledge
- judiciousHaving sound assessment skills
- prudentExercising sound judgment
- eruditeProfoundly knowledgeable
knowledgeable · enlightened · sapient · thoughtful · reflective · experienced · seasoned · worldly
perceptive
Quick to understand
- sharpFine-edged, or astute
- keenSharp or enthusiastic
- discerningHaving keen judgment
clever · intelligent · savvy · quick-witted · insightful · perspicacious · acute · analytical · smart · ingenious
crafty
Cleverly deceptive
scheming · artful · foxy · manipulative · guileful · conniving · tricky · cagey · underhanded · sneaky
sage
Wisdom keeper or seasoning
erudite · knowledgeable · enlightened · sapient · thoughtful · reflective · experienced · seasoned · worldly · elder