can
auxiliary verb
to be able to; have the ability, power, or skill to.
was cunning
-
past progressiveof can.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
That comment was cunning and deceitful at once.
From Salon ● Sep. 25, 2023
"He was really smart and he was cunning at times, and his brother . . . was definitely cunning," Tucker said of the young boy at the time.
From Fox News ● Dec. 1, 2021
His was a corporation that in its ruthless ability to crush rivals was cunning but patient, always willing to undercut profits today in the service of riches tomorrow.
From Washington Post ● Feb. 4, 2021
The Sacramento County Sheriff's Office had a "good-sized unit hunting him every night," Phillips said, but the killer was cunning.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 26, 2018
Like Dasch, Burger noticed that Haupt was "cunning."
From Nazi Saboteurs by Samantha Seiple
