shrewd

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English shrewed, in part representing shrew¹ + -ed³ (cf. dogged¹, wicked); in part probably past participle of shrewen “to curse,” verb use of shrew¹ (see -ed²)

synonym study for shrewd

1. See acute.

OTHER WORDS FROM shrewd

shrewd·ly, adverbshrewd·ness, nounun·shrewd, adjectiveun·shrewd·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use shrewd in a sentence

I know Ron Prosor, and he is not only one of the very shrewdest diplomats Israel fields, but also in no sense a soft-liner.
Israel's Unnecessarily Provocative Position|David Frum|January 2, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The shrewdest mind to occupy the Oval Office in our lifetime still has one of the most impressive hard drives around.
Bill Clinton Warns About Supreme Court Ruling Against Obamacare|Gail Sheehy|June 25, 2012|DAILY BEAST
And, in one of the shrewdest personnel moves of his career, he appointed General George Marshall as secretary of State.
What Obama Can Learn From Truman|Joshua Robinson|January 1, 2011|DAILY BEAST
Not for nothing have critics and admirers alike described Obama as among the shrewdest politicians in a long time.
Barack 'N' Roll|William Triplett|January 19, 2009|DAILY BEAST

It requires the shrewdest scrutiny to keep out matter that does not help the thought forward.
English: Composition and Literature|W. F. (William Franklin) Webster
Perhaps a quotation from Odysseus, shrewdest of European observers of Turkey, can give the answer.
The Cradle of Mankind|W.A. Wigram
Here, as everywhere in life, knowledge is power, and expert knowledge confers mastery over the shrewdest untrained mind.
The Book of Life: Vol. I Mind and Body; Vol. II Love and Society|Upton Sinclair
If to look before you leap be wisdom, you ought to be the shrewdest fellow in the country.
The Knight Of Gwynne, Vol. I (of II)|Charles James Lever
Several hundreds of our shrewdest men of affairs are making fortunes upon the London Stock Exchange.
Mr. Grex of Monte Carlo|E. Phillips Oppenheim

British Dictionary definitions for shrewd

shrewd

/ (ʃruːd) /

adjective

astute and penetrating, often with regard to business

artful and craftya shrewd politician

obsolete

piercinga shrewd wind
spiteful

Derived forms of shrewd

shrewdly, adverbshrewdness, noun

Word Origin for shrewd

C14: from shrew (obsolete vb) to curse, from shrew

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

shrewd

OTHER WORDS FOR shrewd

Origin of shrewd

synonym study for shrewd

OTHER WORDS FROM shrewd

Words related to shrewd

How to use shrewd in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for shrewd

Derived forms of shrewd

Word Origin for shrewd