Cunning vs. Cleverness: What's the Difference?
Edited by Huma Saeed || By Sawaira Riaz || Updated on October 26, 2023
Skill in achieving goals through deceit or evasion. Intellectual quickness and adaptability.
Key Differences
Cunning is often seen as a negative trait, typically associated with deceit, guile, or sly behavior. Cleverness, on the other hand, has a more positive connotation, relating to intellectual quickness and adaptability.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 25, 2023
While both cunning and cleverness are forms of intelligence, they diverge in how they are commonly applied. Cunning is usually employed to manipulate others or situations, whereas cleverness is often used to solve problems or think creatively.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 25, 2023
In terms of grammar, both words function mainly as nouns but can also serve as adjectives. For instance, one can say "his cunning tactics" or "her clever ideas."
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 25, 2023
Cunning tends to focus on achieving specific objectives, often at the expense of ethics. Cleverness is generally more ethical and is usually more about showcasing intellect rather than outsmarting someone through deceit.
Janet White
Oct 25, 2023
Cunning often involves a narrow focus and a zero-sum game mindset, where one's gain is someone else's loss. Cleverness, on the other hand, can lead to solutions that benefit multiple parties.
Harlon Moss
Oct 25, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Grammatical Use
Mainly a noun, also an adjective.
Mainly a noun, also an adjective.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 25, 2023
Objective
Achieving goals, often at others' expense.
Solving problems, often benefiting multiple parties.
Sara Rehman
Oct 25, 2023
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Cunning and Cleverness Definitions
Cunning
Skill in deceit.
His cunning in business made him ruthless but successful.
Janet White
Sep 18, 2023
Cleverness
Quick-wittedness.
His cleverness in conversation made him the life of the party.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 18, 2023
Cunning
Ability to evade capture.
The fugitive's cunning kept him ahead of the police.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 18, 2023
Cleverness
Inventive capability.
His cleverness produced an innovative solution to the issue.
Sara Rehman
Sep 18, 2023
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Cleverness
Ability to adapt.
The cleverness of the team led to a last-minute victory.
Harlon Moss
Sep 18, 2023
Cleverness
Skill in problem-solving.
The detective's cleverness helped crack the case.
Harlon Moss
Sep 18, 2023
Cleverness
Skilled at accomplishing things, especially with the hands
A clever carpenter.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Cleverness
Crafty; cunning
"a hard-working kid who rose from poverty, only to be duped by rich, clever bankers" (Jeff Goodell).
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Cleverness
Exhibiting ingenuity or imagination; creative or artful
A clever experiment.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Cleverness
Characterized by cunning or shrewdness
Clever manipulation of public opinion.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Cunning
(obsolete) Wrought with, or exhibiting, skill or ingenuity; ingenious.
Cunning work
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Cleverness
New England Easily managed; docile
"Oxen must be pretty clever to be bossed around the way they are" (Dialect Notes).
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Cunning
Practical knowledge or experience; aptitude in performance; skill, proficiency; dexterity.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Cunning
Practical skill employed in a secret or crafty manner; craft; artifice; skillful deceit; art or magic.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Cunning
The disposition to employ one's skill in an artful manner; craftiness; guile; artifice; skill of being cunning, sly, conniving, or deceitful.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Cunning
The natural wit or instincts of an animal.
The cunning of the fox or hare
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Cunning
(obsolete) Knowledge; learning; special knowledge (sometimes implying occult or magical knowledge).
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Cunning
Knowing; skillful; dexterous.
"Tis beauty truly blent, whose red and whiteNature's own sweet and cunning hand laid on.
Esau was a cunning hunter.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Cleverness
The property of being ingenious;
A plot of great ingenuity
The cleverness of its design
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Cunning
Wrought with, or exhibiting, skill or ingenuity; ingenious; curious; as, cunning work.
Over them Arachne high did lift
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Cunning
Crafty; sly; artful; designing; deceitful.
They are resolved to be cunning; let others run the hazard of being sincere.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Cunning
Knowledge; art; skill; dexterity.
Let my right hand forget her cunning.
A carpenter's desertStands more in cunning than in power.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Cunning
The faculty or act of using stratagem to accomplish a purpose; fraudulent skill or dexterity; deceit; craft.
Discourage cunning in a child; cunning is the ape of wisdom.
We take cunning for a sinister or crooked wisdom.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Cunning
Attractive especially by means of smallness or prettiness or quaintness;
A cute kid with pigtails
A cute little apartment
Cunning kittens
A cunning baby
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Cunning
Marked by skill in deception;
Cunning men often pass for wise
Deep political machinations
A foxy scheme
A slick evasive answer
Sly as a fox
Tricky Dik
A wily old attorney
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Cunning
Showing inventiveness and skill;
A clever gadget
The cunning maneuvers leading to his success
An ingenious solution to the problem
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
FAQs
What is Cleverness?
Cleverness refers to intellectual quickness and adaptability.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 25, 2023
Is Cleverness always ethical?
Generally, cleverness is considered more ethical than cunning but not always.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 25, 2023
How are Cunning and Cleverness viewed socially?
Cunning is generally viewed negatively, while cleverness is seen as positive.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 25, 2023
What is Cunning?
Cunning is the skill in achieving goals through deceit or evasion.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 25, 2023
Can Cunning and Cleverness coexist?
Yes, a person can be both cunning and clever.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 25, 2023
Can Cleverness be used for bad?
Yes, cleverness can be misused, although it generally has a positive connotation.
Harlon Moss
Oct 25, 2023
What's the primary goal of Cleverness?
The primary goal of cleverness is usually problem-solving or creative thinking.
Harlon Moss
Oct 25, 2023
Can Cleverness be a learned skill?
Cleverness can be honed through learning and experience.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 25, 2023
Is Cunning a form of intelligence?
Yes, cunning is a form of social or situational intelligence.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 25, 2023
What are the grammatical uses of Cunning and Cleverness?
Both function mainly as nouns but can also serve as adjectives.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 25, 2023
Can Cunning be a learned skill?
Yes, people can learn to be cunning, although it's often innate.
Janet White
Oct 25, 2023
What's the primary goal of Cunning?
The primary goal of cunning is often to manipulate for personal gain.
Janet White
Oct 25, 2023
Can Cunning be used for good?
It's possible but rare; the term usually has negative connotations.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 25, 2023
Do Cunning and Cleverness have opposite meanings?
No, they're both forms of intelligence but are applied differently.
Janet White
Oct 25, 2023
How can Cunning and Cleverness be distinguished in action?
Cunning often involves deceit or manipulation, while cleverness is about intellectual prowess and problem-solving.
Sara Rehman
Oct 25, 2023
About Author
Written by
Sawaira RiazSawaira is a dedicated content editor at difference.wiki, where she meticulously refines articles to ensure clarity and accuracy. With a keen eye for detail, she upholds the site's commitment to delivering insightful and precise content.
Edited by
Huma SaeedHuma is a renowned researcher acclaimed for her innovative work in Difference Wiki. Her dedication has led to key breakthroughs, establishing her prominence in academia. Her contributions continually inspire and guide her field.
