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

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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

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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 Other firehouse elements are picked up in the décor, like the tall brass pole stretching floor to ceiling, evoking a fire pole but is actually a clever lighting fixture. — Robert F. Moss, Southern Living, 4 Aug. 2026 Award-winning author Jackson delivers clever characters, atmospheric settings, and plenty of thrills to mystery-loving fans. — Literary Hub, 3 Aug. 2026 Lewis recognizes the parallels, and commends Antosca’s clever nods. — Hunter Ingram, Variety, 1 Aug. 2026 Even amid the uncertainty, the clever businesses—whether that’s airlines, refiners, fuel transport companies, or commodity traders—will be the ones that figure out how to deploy alternative fuels while mitigating risk. — Justin Worland, Time, 31 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for clever

Recent Examples of Synonyms for clever

Adjective

The 51 projects — 40 features, six series, and five innovative or immersive works — all looking for production and financing partners, will be presented at the inaugural TIFF industry market.

— Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 10 Aug. 2026
The Market, which runs September 10-16, will launch 51 projects – 40 features, six series and five innovative or immersive works – that are all looking for production and financing partners.

— Diana Lodderhose, Deadline, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of innovative

Adjective

Deploying renewables paired with intelligent energy conservation and grid management, individuals, businesses, municipalities, and entire countries are earnestly curbing their CO2 emissions.

— John Vaillant, Time, 8 Aug. 2026
Factories, shipyards and warehouses are becoming intelligent.

— Ariyan Kabir, Fortune, 8 Aug. 2026

Definition of intelligent

Adjective

With the correct number of dots, no arrangement, however cunning, can dodge these shapes forever.

— Jack Murtagh, Scientific American, 10 Aug. 2026
The simplest way to protect them from being ripped off by a cunning adversary is to get the customer in a queue and serve them your special magic on your terms.

— Clem Chambers, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of cunning

Adjective

New assistant coach Alice Chilton is a blatant remodeling of Roy Kent — a brusque ex-soccer player who’s reluctant to engage with Ted’s tomfoolery or personal prodding — but Tanya Reynolds’ performance is equal turns wounded and witty.

— Ben Travers, IndieWire, 5 Aug. 2026
Burch’s brilliantly witty, biting and all-knowing screenplay never satirizes these characters or looks down on them in a movie Jones and his exceptional actors have blessed with sheer humanity and grace.

— Pete Hammond, Deadline, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of witty

Adjective

All the entries are highly personal, bracingly creative and audaciously inventive recreations of immortal standards familiar throughout the world.

— Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 9 Aug. 2026
Dinner Time The Nest brings an upscale sensibility to the burger joint, with gourmet beef, bison, and black bean patties dressed in inventive combinations, plus a full menu of alternatives for anyone not in a burger mood.

— John Godfrey Published, Midwest Living, 8 Aug. 2026

Definition of inventive

Adjective

Their sets feature cool jumps, monstrous obstacles and cityscapes that expand on the iconic orange track, and each is aimed at inspiring creativity and imaginative play.

— BestReviews, Mercury News, 31 July 2026
The other, more imaginative name the team had dreamed up was BlackBerry.

— HubSpot, HubSpot, 31 July 2026

Definition of imaginative

Adjective

Gameplay sees major defensive overhauls, smarter linebackers, and complex pre-snap options, creating a deeper, more challenging experience.

— Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026
If Vuskovic grows into a Premier League regular and leader at Brighton, that club-record fee will turn into a smart piece of business.

— Andy Naylor, New York Times, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of smart

Adjective

The outlet reported that the character, who is a preteen in season 4 of Ted Lasso, has grown into a skilled soccer player — something Feely alluded to in an October 2025 interview with the Birmingham Parent.

— Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 5 Aug. 2026
Data center investment offers an opportunity to expand the tax base, create high-wage skilled trades and technology jobs, and support broader infrastructure modernization.

— Ron Kitchens, Fortune, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of skilled

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Style

“Clever.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clever. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of clever

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