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Meaning of cunning in English

  1. Pronunciation

    /ˈkənɪŋ/

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  1. Classifying Adjective

    cunning

    Definitions

    1. attractive especially by means of smallness or prettiness or quaintness

    Examples

    • « a cute kid with pigtails »
    • « a cute little apartment »
    • « cunning kittens »
    • « a cunning baby »

    Synonyms

    • attractive
  2. 2. marked by skill in deception

    Examples

    • « cunning men often pass for wise »
    • « deep political machinations »
    • « a foxy scheme »
    • « a slick evasive answer »
    • « sly as a fox »
    • « tricky Dik »
    • « a wily old attorney »

    Synonyms

    • artful
  3. 3. showing inventiveness and skill

    Examples

    • « a clever gadget »
    • « the cunning maneuvers leading to his success »
    • « an ingenious solution to the problem »

    Synonyms

    • adroit
  4. Noun

    cunning

    Definitions

    1. shrewdness in deception

    Examples

    • « as cunning as a fox »
  5. 2. shrewdness as demonstrated by being skilled in deception
  6. 3. drafty artfulness (especially in deception)

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