CLEVER Synonyms: 343 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'clever' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of clever are adroit , cunning , and ingenious . While all these words mean "having or showing practical wit or skill in contriving," clever stresses physical or mental quickness, deftness, or great aptitude. // a person clever with horses

Q: When might 'adroit' be a better fit than 'clever'?

The words adroit and clever can be used in similar contexts, but adroit often implies a skillful use of expedients to achieve one's purpose in spite of difficulties. // an adroit negotiator

Q: Where would 'cunning' be a reasonable alternative to 'clever'?

The meanings of cunning and clever largely overlap; however, cunning implies great skill in constructing or creating. // a filmmaker cunning in his use of special effects

Q: When is it sensible to use 'ingenious' instead of 'clever'?

While the synonyms ingenious and clever are close in meaning, ingenious suggests the power of inventing or discovering a new way of accomplishing something. // an ingenious software engineer

clever

adjective

ˈkle-vər

Definition of clever

as in innovative

showing a noteworthy use of the imagination and creativity especially in inventing an inventor who was constantly coming up with clever devices for doing everyday chores

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in intelligent

having or showing quickness of mind a clever student figured out a trick to do the assignment faster

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in cunning

skillful with the hands the Shakers were clever artisans who created many ingenious and highly useful devices

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in witty

given to or marked by mature intelligent humor a clever joke that requires a little bit of thought on the part of the listener

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in inventive

having the skill and imagination to create new things I wonder what clever person thought of the digital camera

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective clever differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of clever are adroit, cunning, and ingenious. While all these words mean "having or showing practical wit or skill in contriving," clever stresses physical or mental quickness, deftness, or great aptitude.

a person clever with horses

When might adroit be a better fit than clever?

The words adroit and clever can be used in similar contexts, but adroit often implies a skillful use of expedients to achieve one's purpose in spite of difficulties.

an adroit negotiator

Where would cunning be a reasonable alternative to clever?

The meanings of cunning and clever largely overlap; however, cunning implies great skill in constructing or creating.

a filmmaker cunning in his use of special effects

When is it sensible to use ingenious instead of clever?

While the synonyms ingenious and clever are close in meaning, ingenious suggests the power of inventing or discovering a new way of accomplishing something.

an ingenious software engineer

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of clever All the power of the government — investigative, technological, legal — has been thrown at finding these mysterious, diabolically clever ballot baddies. — Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026 Still, those models too could usually be jailbroken by clever red teamers within about a day. — Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026 Stephenson’s storytelling finesse – clever reveals, discursive side quests, stealthy plot twists – shines in this robust tale of British journalist Owen and his globe-spanning search for a missing English earl in 1934. — Monitor Reviewers, Christian Science Monitor, 19 Oct. 2026 By definition, tiny houses pretty much always involve working around constraints, but some designers have found clever ways of making a small home feel like a larger one. — New Atlas, 17 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for clever

Recent Examples of Synonyms for clever

Adjective

During a half-hour speech, von Furstenberg reflected on major career milestones, like her first meeting with Diana Vreeland in 1970 and later being featured on the March 1976 cover of Newsweek in her innovative wrap dress.

— Ariel Bielsky, Vogue, 24 Oct. 2026
The radio series takes in interviews with academic hormone specialists, including the team at Imperial College in London who are conducting some of the most exciting and innovative research in this area.

— Gavin Francis, The New York Review of Books, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of innovative

Adjective

For much of the world, the AI that would matter most may not be the most intelligent model ever built.

— Keyu Jin, Time, 23 Oct. 2026
This all-loving creator is ever present, completely good, and the intelligent source of immortal truth and unending love.

— The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of intelligent

Adjective

Magpies are opportunistic scavengers, incredibly cunning and deceitful and capable of calculated deception.

— Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 28 Sep. 2026
Last week, Alan Cumming’s cunning competition empire The Traitors unsheathed its most diabolical twist yet.

— Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of cunning

Adjective

With a captivating bank fraud mystery, and two irresistible love stories, Kleypas’ uniquely wise and witty novel is a gem.

— Monitor reviewers, Christian Science Monitor, 19 Oct. 2026
Revived for the first time since 2011, this production, directed by John Benjamin Hickey, is gutting, witty and painfully timely.

— Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of witty

Adjective

The restaurant is flanked by a bar serving inventive cocktails inspired by the Far Eastern heritage in the use of aromatic herbs.

— Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 25 Oct. 2026
Cornbread, barbecue chicken, grits and seasonal market vegetables now showcase Brock’s inventive, soulful cooking — and have brought diners back to the restaurant.

— Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of inventive

Adjective

Below, shop some of the top toys for kids of all ages, including imaginative toys for preschoolers, interactive toys for big kids and toys focused on learning and development for babies and toddlers.

— ABC News, ABC News, 16 Oct. 2026
Li tells their stories in alternating chapters, loosely grounding her narrative in historical fact and Li’s own expansive imaginative powers.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of imaginative

Adjective

Craig was highly rated, and the plan to try to be more physical with Sammis’ pro-style attack in a league increasingly dominated by teams built in the trenches like Texas Tech, BYU and Utah seemed smart.

— Jim Barnes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Oct. 2026
Having experienced the dial adjust the volume on its own while the case was in my pocket, a disable option seems smart.

— Mark Knapp, PC Magazine, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of smart

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clerkships

clever

cleverish

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Style

“Clever.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clever. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of clever

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