cunning
/ˈkʌnɪŋ/
Group 19Difficulty 1/3
Definitions
- (adjective)
- Having or showing skill in achieving one's ends by deceit; ingenious GRE
- (noun)
- Skill in achieving one's ends through deceit GRE
Example in Context
The fox showed cunning that surprised even experienced naturalists, evading every trap set along its usual path.
Synonyms
slycraftyshrewd
Etymology
Skillful in deceit and clever tricks.
- cunnian (Old English) — to know
Memory Aid
🦊Sounds like “cunning”
The CUNNING fox pulled off a heist so sneaky, even the guards were left GUNNING for him!
Visual Association
🦊A sly fox wearing sunglasses, plotting a heist while looking cool and collected.
Semantic Clusters
Synonym Groups
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “cunning” mean on the GRE?
cunning (adjective) means “Having or showing skill in achieving one's ends by deceit; ingenious”. The fox showed cunning that surprised even experienced naturalists, evading every trap set along its usual path.
How to remember “cunning” for the GRE?
Mnemonic: “cunning” sounds like “cunning”. The CUNNING fox pulled off a heist so sneaky, even the guards were left GUNNING for him!
What are synonyms for “cunning”?
Common synonyms: sly, crafty, shrewd.