Skip to content
GREMockTests
GRE vocabulary

shrewd

adjectiveHigh-frequency wordMore S words

having sharp practical judgment and cleverness

Word origin: From Middle English shrewe, a sharp or cunning person.

In a sentence

Shrewd in a sentence

Here are example sentences showing shrewd in a sentence.

A shrewd negotiator, she secured terms no one expected.

It was a shrewd negotiating tactic to concede a minor point in order to win the one that mattered.

Usage & nuance

Using “shrewd” well

Shrewd describes sharp practical judgment and cleverness, especially in matters of advantage or self-interest. It is generally a compliment, though it can hint at a calculating edge.

Common questions

Questions about “shrewd

Shrewd (adjective) means having sharp practical judgment and cleverness
Here is shrewd used in an example sentence: "A shrewd negotiator, she secured terms no one expected." Another example: "It was a shrewd negotiating tactic to concede a minor point in order to win the one that mattered."
Common synonyms for shrewd include astute, canny, perceptive.
Antonyms of shrewd include naive, obtuse.
Clusters with astute, canny, and perceptive in Sentence Equivalence. Its antonyms naive and obtuse mark the opposite, undiscerning pole.
Yes. Shrewd is a high-frequency GRE word, so it is worth prioritising as you build your vocabulary.

Learn words the way the GRE tests them.

Vocabulary sticks when you meet it in real sentences. Practise these words inside text completion and sentence equivalence questions.