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
“I thought he’d think I was cunning and see I was smart. I don’t know. I thought it would be a good move for me.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 17, 2021
She was invulnerable to praise, reason, and shame, which meant she couldn’t be coaxed or persuaded, and she was cunning, which made her hard to trick.
From "Strange the Dreamer" by Laini Taylor
