cannily
1
7.4
- adverb
- /ˈkænɪli/
:
astutamente
- Cannily, Boyer embedded teaching in a structure that promised it greater value, status, and rewards.
Examples
-
Surely that helmet was too big to fit in the narrow kitchen can, and even Hooper—even at nine—would have covered his tracks more cannily than that.
Fiction book (1999) -
Ethan paused for a moment with his loaded fork hanging in the air, peering cannily over his high cheekbones at Alvin.
Fiction book (2002) -
Was the witness using the analogy cannily to win the British commissioners over to his position?
Academic text (1991) -
Mr. Walker smiled at her cannily.
Fiction book (1999) -
"And you haven't been hunting?" she asked cannily.
Fiction book (1992) -
"What is the curse that you spoke of?" Casimir cannily eyed his friend.
Fiction book (1992) -
Generally deemed to be a major awards contender, the film's been cannily timed to go into limited release barely 48 hours after the results of the election were in.
Blog text (6) -
The police have the phone tapped, and the protagonist, Jess, cannily keeps the killer on the phone long enough for the cops to trace it (almost a quaint premise now, in the time of mobile phones).
Blog text (23) -
Burnett appealed to readers' taste for plain-speaking, unadorned prose and cannily promoted his work as pleasurable, instructive, and unaffected.
Academic text (2014) -
She cannily anticipated his needs and made sure to have everything ready before he arrived.
Synonyms
112
2.3
To act with good sense and careful thought
72
2.4
In a sensible way that shows good judgment
33
3.0
In a smart way that shows skill and good ideas
28
3.7
In a smart way that shows good sense
15
3.7
In a way that shows good judgment and practical choices
8
5.0
In a careful way to avoid future problems
8
3.4
In a clever way that shows clear thinking
7
6.5
In a careful, thoughtful way that makes good choices
6
6.0
In a clever way that shows good sense in practical matters
5
6.7
In a clever way to trick or deceive someone
3
6.3
In a wise and thoughtful way
3
6.5
In a clever, careful way that shows good sense
3
7.5
In a skillful and clever way
2
3.9
Carefully and with full attention to what you do
1
6.8
In a planned, careful way to get a particular result
1
8.6
In a way that shows someone can predict what will happen
1
8.9
Acting wisely and carefully to make good decisions
1
7.7
In a careful, sensible way to avoid risk
In a wise way that shows good judgment
In a clever, slightly tricky way to get a result
In a careful, slow way without hurry
Antonyms
How Shrewd
Surface Forms
Morphology
Etymology
Cannily comes from the Scots word canny, which comes from an old word can meaning 'to know' or 'be able'. So to act cannily is to act with careful cleverness, in other words in a shrewd or clever way.