canny

adjective

ˈka-nē How to pronounce canny (audio)
Definition of cannynext
1
as in smart
having or showing a practical cleverness or judgment a canny card player, good at psyching out his opponents

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in comfortable
chiefly Scottish enjoying physical comfort warm and canny under the woolen bedcovers, we didn't mind the chilly Scottish nights

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 canny Chelsea turning a profit on Liam Delap showed just how canny an investment young English forwards are right now. — Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026 Still, the novel properly belongs to Jordan, a creation as canny and protean as the story itself. — Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026 Already an industry veteran at the tender age of 13, Jackson made this first official solo foray — a canny move by Motown head Berry Gordy to further capitalize on the Jackson 5’s immense popularity. — Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Aug. 2026 People queue up for scoops of their favorite flavors, but canny sweet teeth should keep an eye on the restaurant’s social media to see what new creations are in the case. — Anne Ewbank, Sacbee.com, 19 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for canny
Recent Examples of Synonyms for canny
  1. smart
  2. comfortable
  3. astute
  4. relaxed
  5. shrewd
  6. savvy
Adjective
  • The look is solid, smart, elegant, hitting a summer sweet spot that means guests come back again and again.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Perhaps in the hands of a smarter comedian, this contradiction could in itself be a compelling source of comedy to mine.
    — Charu Sinha, Vulture, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of smart
Adjective
  • Ellis and other senior leaders have shared their own backgrounds on the bank’s intranet and blog to make others feel more comfortable discussing their upbringing.
    — Sam Birchall, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Stand-up also teaches kids how to get comfortable with the uncomfortable and how to turn dark into light, Blaine said.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of comfortable
Adjective
  • His astute stand-up and withering, spot-on insights into race, relationships and celebrity have influenced countless comedians and writers.
    — Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Her astute explanations, along with conversations with former immigration judges and other experts, helped turn a convoluted topic into a clear story.
    — Colette Davidson, Christian Science Monitor, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of astute
Adjective
  • Alongside iconic locations often featured in films and TV, West Hollywood offers a relaxed neighborhood spirit which Stay AKA perfectly taps into.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Inside, the house has a mix of formal reception rooms and more relaxed spaces, along with a custom kitchen and dining area and a main bedroom suite.
    — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of relaxed
Adjective
  • In another shrewd move from Neon, the studio announced that when Oscar season rolls around, Borisov will be running in the lead-actor category and Garfield in supporting alongside Rylance and Barbaro.
    — Chris Murphy, Vanity Fair, 6 Oct. 2026
  • As an adolescent, Winston could hardly have imagined the cascading effect of his shrewd eye for color and clarity.
    — Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of shrewd
Adjective
  • Musk is savvy at securing investment, whether his shiny pronouncements about the future prove real or not.
    — Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Kapoor will lead the creative direction, with Balaji retaining the underlying IP while tapping YouTube’s global distribution and advertising business — a savvy expansion that doesn’t involve surrendering ownership of her stories.
    — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of savvy

Browse Nearby Words

cannons
canny
canoe
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Cite this Entry

“Canny.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/canny. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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