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cunninghaving or showing skill in achieving one's ends by deceit or evasion

Part of speech: ADJECTIVE

Definition: having or showing skill in achieving one's ends by deceit or evasion

Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈkʌnɪŋ/

Korean meaning: 교활한, 간교한, 꾀 많은

Korean pronunciation: **커**닝

Example Sentences

  • The cunning cat pretended to sleep while secretly watching the fish tank.
  • His cunning business strategy helped him dominate the market.
  • The cunning politician avoided answering the difficult question with a joke.

cunning

ADJECTIVE

//ˈkʌnɪŋ//

having or showing skill in achieving one's ends by deceit or evasion

cunning concept
💡 Concept

a fox merchant with a mischievous smile secretly switches price tags on jewelry while customers aren't looking. He smoothly moves expensive items to the cheap section and places cheap trinkets where the valuable ones were. When a customer picks up what they think is an inexpensive necklace, they're actually getting a costly piece for almost nothing. The fox pockets the difference while pretending to be helpful and friendly. Other shoppers browse nearby, completely unaware of the clever scheme happening right in front of them. The merchant's satisfied expression shows he's successfully tricking everyone. someone achieving their ends through skillful deceit and evasion

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🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/ˈkʌnɪŋ/
🇬🇧 UK/ˈkʌnɪŋ/

🌳Etymology

Rootcunn
Suffix--ing

Origin

From Middle English 'cunning', derived from Old Norse 'kunnandi' meaning 'knowing' or 'skilled'. The word originally had positive connotations of knowledge and skill, but gradually shifted to mean 'sly' or 'crafty'.

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🎵Rhyme

runningstunninggunning
running
stunning
gunning

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📝Examples

😄 Fun example

The cunning cat pretended to sleep while secretly watching the fish tank.

His cunning business strategy helped him dominate the market.

😄 Fun example

The cunning politician avoided answering the difficult question with a joke.

She showed great cunning in negotiating the deal.

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Etymology, AI images, rhymes, collocations & examples — all in one!

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📚Related Words

Synonyms

slycraftywilydeviousshrewd

Antonyms

honeststraightforwardnaive

Related

clevermanipulativeschemingartful