Cunning vs. Cleverness: What's the Difference?
Edited by Aimie Carlson || By Janet White || 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.
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.
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."
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.
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.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Skill in deceit or evasion.
Intellectual quickness.
Connotation
Generally negative.
Generally positive.
Grammatical Use
Mainly a noun, also an adjective.
Mainly a noun, also an adjective.
Ethical Implications
Often unethical.
Usually ethical.
Objective
Achieving goals, often at others' expense.
Solving problems, often benefiting multiple parties.
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Cunning and Cleverness Definitions
Cunning
Skill in deceit.
His cunning in business made him ruthless but successful.
Cleverness
Quick-wittedness.
His cleverness in conversation made him the life of the party.
Cunning
Ability to evade capture.
The fugitive's cunning kept him ahead of the police.
Cleverness
Inventive capability.
His cleverness produced an innovative solution to the issue.
Cunning
Trickery or guile.
The fox used cunning to escape the trap.
Cleverness
Intellectual sharpness.
Her cleverness quickly solved the puzzle.
Cunning
Sly or crafty behavior.
Her cunning ways fooled everyone.
Cleverness
Ability to adapt.
The cleverness of the team led to a last-minute victory.
Cunning
Marked by or given to artful subtlety and deceptiveness.
Cleverness
Skill in problem-solving.
The detective's cleverness helped crack the case.
Cunning
Executed with or exhibiting ingenuity.
Cleverness
Mentally quick and original; bright
A clever student.
Cunning
Delicately pleasing; pretty or cute
A cunning pet.
Cleverness
Skilled at accomplishing things, especially with the hands
A clever carpenter.
Cunning
Skill in deception; guile.
Cleverness
Crafty; cunning
"a hard-working kid who rose from poverty, only to be duped by rich, clever bankers" (Jeff Goodell).
Cunning
Skill or adeptness in execution or performance; dexterity.
Cleverness
Exhibiting ingenuity or imagination; creative or artful
A clever experiment.
Cunning
Sly; crafty; clever in surreptitious behaviour.
Cleverness
Witty; amusing
An evening of clever repartee.
Cunning
(obsolete) Skillful, artful.
Cleverness
Characterized by cunning or shrewdness
Clever manipulation of public opinion.
Cunning
(obsolete) Wrought with, or exhibiting, skill or ingenuity; ingenious.
Cunning work
Cleverness
New England Easily managed; docile
"Oxen must be pretty clever to be bossed around the way they are" (Dialect Notes).
Cunning
Cute, appealing.
Cleverness
Chiefly Southern US Good-natured; amiable.
Cunning
Practical knowledge or experience; aptitude in performance; skill, proficiency; dexterity.
Cleverness
The property of being clever.
Cunning
Practical skill employed in a secret or crafty manner; craft; artifice; skillful deceit; art or magic.
Cleverness
Something clever, or done cleverly.
Cunning
The disposition to employ one's skill in an artful manner; craftiness; guile; artifice; skill of being cunning, sly, conniving, or deceitful.
Cleverness
The quality of being clever; skill; dexterity; adroitness.
Cunning
The natural wit or instincts of an animal.
The cunning of the fox or hare
Cleverness
The power of creative imagination
Cunning
(obsolete) Knowledge; learning; special knowledge (sometimes implying occult or magical knowledge).
Cleverness
Intelligence as manifested in being quick and witty
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.
Cleverness
The property of being ingenious;
A plot of great ingenuity
The cleverness of its design
Cunning
Wrought with, or exhibiting, skill or ingenuity; ingenious; curious; as, cunning work.
Over them Arachne high did lift
Cunning
Crafty; sly; artful; designing; deceitful.
They are resolved to be cunning; let others run the hazard of being sincere.
Cunning
Pretty or pleasing; as, a cunning little boy.
Cunning
Knowledge; art; skill; dexterity.
Let my right hand forget her cunning.
A carpenter's desertStands more in cunning than in power.
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.
Cunning
Shrewdness in deception;
As cunning as a fox
Cunning
Shrewdness as demonstrated by being skilled in deception
Cunning
Drafty artfulness (especially in deception)
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
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
Cunning
Showing inventiveness and skill;
A clever gadget
The cunning maneuvers leading to his success
An ingenious solution to the problem
Cunning
Strategic manipulation.
His cunning strategy won the game.
FAQs
What is Cleverness?
Cleverness refers to intellectual quickness and adaptability.
Is Cleverness always ethical?
Generally, cleverness is considered more ethical than cunning but not always.
How are Cunning and Cleverness viewed socially?
Cunning is generally viewed negatively, while cleverness is seen as positive.
What is Cunning?
Cunning is the skill in achieving goals through deceit or evasion.
Can Cunning and Cleverness coexist?
Yes, a person can be both cunning and clever.
Can Cleverness be used for bad?
Yes, cleverness can be misused, although it generally has a positive connotation.
What's the primary goal of Cleverness?
The primary goal of cleverness is usually problem-solving or creative thinking.
Can Cleverness be a learned skill?
Cleverness can be honed through learning and experience.
Is Cunning a form of intelligence?
Yes, cunning is a form of social or situational intelligence.
What are the grammatical uses of Cunning and Cleverness?
Both function mainly as nouns but can also serve as adjectives.
Can Cunning be a learned skill?
Yes, people can learn to be cunning, although it's often innate.
What's the primary goal of Cunning?
The primary goal of cunning is often to manipulate for personal gain.
Can Cunning be used for good?
It's possible but rare; the term usually has negative connotations.
Do Cunning and Cleverness have opposite meanings?
No, they're both forms of intelligence but are applied differently.
How can Cunning and Cleverness be distinguished in action?
Cunning often involves deceit or manipulation, while cleverness is about intellectual prowess and problem-solving.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Aimie CarlsonAimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.
