Bold vs. Cunning — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Fiza Rafique — Updated on April 4, 2024
Bold actions are characterized by fearlessness and directness, often facing risks head-on, whereas cunning involves subtlety, cleverness, and indirect methods to achieve goals, prioritizing strategy over direct confrontation.
Difference Between Bold and Cunning
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Boldness is often seen as a virtue in leadership and decision-making, suggesting a willingness to take risks and make decisive choices. On the other hand, cunning is associated with the ability to achieve ends through indirect and sometimes deceptive means, which can be advantageous in complex situations where direct action is not feasible.
Bold individuals are admired for their courage and straightforward approach, standing up for what they believe in despite potential risks. Cunning individuals, whereas, are praised for their intelligence, strategy, and often, their ability to navigate through challenging circumstances with finesse and forethought.
In terms of perception, boldness is generally viewed positively, as it is associated with honesty and integrity. Conversely, cunning, while recognized for its cleverness, may carry negative connotations, suggesting manipulation or deceit.
Bold actions are typically transparent, making intentions and methods clear to others. Cunning actions, on the other hand, are characterized by their subtlety and the strategic concealment of true intentions, often leaving observers in the dark until the outcome is revealed.
While boldness inspires others through visible courage and determination, cunning influences through calculated moves and the art of persuasion, often working behind the scenes to shape outcomes.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Showing an ability to take risks; confident and courageous
Clever at achieving one's aims by indirect or deceitful methods
Perception
Generally positive, associated with bravery and honesty
Can be negative, often linked to deceit and manipulation
Approach
Direct and straightforward, facing challenges head-on
Indirect, using strategy and sometimes deceit
Key Characteristics
Courage, decisiveness, transparency
Intelligence, strategy, subtlety
Common Contexts
Leadership, activism, situations requiring clear action
Politics, negotiation, complex problem-solving
Compare with Definitions
Bold
Displaying courage and willingness to take risks.
She made a bold decision to quit her job and travel the world.
Cunning
Characterized by wiliness and trickery.
The spy employed his cunning to gather information without being detected.
Bold
Not hesitating or fearful in the face of actual or possible danger.
The firefighter’s bold rescue saved lives.
Cunning
Skilled in achieving one's ends by deceit or evasion.
The cunning fox escaped the hunter with an ingenious trick.
Bold
Standing out distinctly; conspicuous.
The bold headline on the front page made everyone stop and look.
Cunning
Crafty in the use of special resources.
He used his cunning to navigate the complex bureaucracy.
Bold
Clear and noticeable; making a strong impression.
The artist's use of bold colors caught everyone's attention.
Cunning
Cleverly inventive.
The inventor's cunning device solved the long-standing problem.
Bold
Forward in dealing with others; confident.
His bold approach during the negotiation won him the deal.
Cunning
Having or showing skill in achieving one's ends by deceit.
Her cunning plan to win the game impressed everyone.
Bold
Fearless and daring; courageous
A bold leader.
Cunning
Marked by or given to artful subtlety and deceptiveness.
Bold
Requiring or exhibiting courage or daring
A bold voyage to unknown lands.
Cunning
Executed with or exhibiting ingenuity.
Bold
Unduly forward and brazen; impudent
A bold, sassy child.
Cunning
Delicately pleasing; pretty or cute
A cunning pet.
Bold
Strikingly different or unconventional; arresting or provocative
"[He] laid out a bold, new vision for America's leading universities" (Jerome Karabel).
Cunning
Skill in deception; guile.
Bold
Clear and distinct to the eye; conspicuous
Bold colors.
A bold pattern.
Cunning
Skill or adeptness in execution or performance; dexterity.
Bold
Strong or pronounced; prominent
The bold flavor of ginger.
Cunning
Sly; crafty; clever in surreptitious behaviour.
Bold
Steep or abrupt in grade or terrain
"The two walk along the high, bold, rocky shore" (Harriet Beecher Stowe).
Cunning
(obsolete) Skillful, artful.
Bold
(Printing) Boldface.
Cunning
(obsolete) Wrought with, or exhibiting, skill or ingenuity; ingenious.
Cunning work
Bold
(obsolete) A dwelling; habitation; building.
Cunning
Cute, appealing.
Bold
Courageous, daring.
Bold deeds win admiration and, sometimes, medals.
Cunning
Practical knowledge or experience; aptitude in performance; skill, proficiency; dexterity.
Bold
Visually striking; conspicuous.
The painter's bold use of colour and outline
Cunning
Practical skill employed in a secret or crafty manner; craft; artifice; skillful deceit; art or magic.
Bold
Having thicker strokes than the ordinary form of the typeface.
The last word of this sentence is bold.
Cunning
The disposition to employ one's skill in an artful manner; craftiness; guile; artifice; skill of being cunning, sly, conniving, or deceitful.
Bold
Presumptuous, forward or impudent.
Cunning
The natural wit or instincts of an animal.
The cunning of the fox or hare
Bold
(Ireland) Naughty; insolent; badly-behaved.
All of her children are terribly bold and never do as they are told.
Cunning
(obsolete) Knowledge; learning; special knowledge (sometimes implying occult or magical knowledge).
Bold
Full-bodied.
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.
Bold
(Philippines) Pornographic; depicting nudity.
Cunning
Wrought with, or exhibiting, skill or ingenuity; ingenious; curious; as, cunning work.
Over them Arachne high did lift
Bold
Steep or abrupt.
Cunning
Crafty; sly; artful; designing; deceitful.
They are resolved to be cunning; let others run the hazard of being sincere.
Bold
(transitive) To make (a font or some text) bold.
Cunning
Pretty or pleasing; as, a cunning little boy.
Bold
To make bold or daring.
Cunning
Knowledge; art; skill; dexterity.
Let my right hand forget her cunning.
A carpenter's desertStands more in cunning than in power.
Bold
To become bold or brave.
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.
Bold
Forward to meet danger; venturesome; daring; not timorous or shrinking from risk; brave; courageous.
Throngs of knights and barons bold.
Cunning
Shrewdness in deception;
As cunning as a fox
Bold
Exhibiting or requiring spirit and contempt of danger; planned with courage; daring; vigorous.
Cunning
Shrewdness as demonstrated by being skilled in deception
Bold
In a bad sense, too forward; taking undue liberties; over assuming or confident; lacking proper modesty or restraint; rude; impudent.
Thou art too wild, too rude and bold of voice.
Cunning
Drafty artfulness (especially in deception)
Bold
Somewhat overstepping usual bounds, or conventional rules, as in art, literature, etc.; taking liberties in composition or expression; as, the figures of an author are bold.
The cathedral church is a very bold work.
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
Bold
Standing prominently out to view; markedly conspicuous; striking the eye; in high relief.
Shadows in painting . . . make the figure bolder.
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
Bold
Steep; abrupt; prominent.
Where the bold cape its warning forehead rears.
Cunning
Showing inventiveness and skill;
A clever gadget
The cunning maneuvers leading to his success
An ingenious solution to the problem
Bold
To make bold or daring.
Bold
To be or become bold.
Bold
A typeface with thick heavy lines
Bold
Fearless and daring;
Bold settlers on some foreign shore
A bold speech
A bold adventure
Bold
Clear and distinct;
Bold handwriting
A figure carved in bold relief
A bold design
Bold
Very steep; having a prominent and almost vertical front;
A bluff headland
Where the bold chalk cliffs of England rise
A sheer descent of rock
Common Curiosities
What does it mean to be bold?
Being bold means showing an ability to take risks, being confident, and not hesitating in the face of danger.
Is cunning always negative?
While cunning can have negative connotations, it also reflects cleverness and strategic thinking, which can be positive in certain contexts.
Can a person be both bold and cunning?
Yes, it's possible for someone to exhibit both boldness in their direct actions and cunning in their strategic thinking.
Can boldness lead to success?
Yes, boldness can lead to success by enabling decisive actions and the courage to take risks.
Is cunning effective in negotiations?
Cunning can be highly effective in negotiations, as it involves strategic thinking and often a deeper understanding of the other party's motivations.
Why might someone choose to be cunning?
Someone might choose to be cunning to navigate complex situations where direct action is not feasible or to achieve goals in a competitive environment.
How is cunning different from being smart?
Cunning involves being clever in a way that often includes deceit or evasion, whereas being smart generally refers to having or showing a quick-witted intelligence.
Why is boldness admired?
Boldness is admired because it demonstrates courage, honesty, and a willingness to stand up for what one believes in.
What are the risks of being too bold?
Being too bold can lead to recklessness, where risks are taken without adequate consideration of the potential consequences.
What role does cunning play in problem-solving?
Cunning plays a crucial role in complex problem-solving by allowing for the strategic and sometimes indirect achievement of goals.
How does society view bold individuals?
Society typically views bold individuals positively, associating them with leadership qualities and integrity.
How do bold actions impact others?
Bold actions often inspire and motivate others through visible courage and determination.
Does cunning require intelligence?
Yes, cunning requires a certain level of intelligence, particularly in strategy and problem-solving.
What is a common misconception about cunning?
A common misconception about cunning is that it only involves negative traits like deceit, overlooking its aspect of strategic intelligence.
How do bold and cunning strategies differ in achieving goals?
Bold strategies involve direct action and clear intentions, whereas cunning strategies rely on subtlety, deceit, or indirect methods.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
