Cunning vs. Cleverness — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Published on October 4, 2023
Cunning refers to shrewdness or slyness often with deceitful intent, while cleverness denotes quick intelligence or adeptness without necessarily implying deceit.
Difference Between Cunning and Cleverness
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Cunning and cleverness both allude to a form of intelligence or skill, but each carries a distinct nuance. Cunning commonly portrays a form of astuteness, especially in deceptive ways or for personal advantage. In many scenarios, it's seen as using one's wit for deceit or manipulation. Cleverness, on the other hand, emphasizes a quick-witted intelligence or adept problem-solving ability. It suggests brilliance without the negative connotation of deceit.
In literature, a cunning character might craft elaborate schemes or plots, using their intelligence to deceive or manipulate others. Cleverness in a character is showcased by their ability to think on their feet, come up with ingenious solutions, or show a sharp intellect, often in a more positive or neutral light.
It's worth noting that while cunning often implies a negative or sinister motive behind one's actions, cleverness is broader in scope and can be either positive or neutral. A cunning individual might deceive someone for personal gain, whereas a clever person might find an innovative solution to a challenging problem.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Shrewdness or slyness, often with deceitful intent
Quick intelligence or adeptness
Connotation
Can be negative, hinting at deceit or manipulation
Typically positive or neutral, acknowledges skill
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Field of Application
Manipulation, deception, strategy
Problem-solving, innovation, wit
Nature
More specific, emphasizing deception
Broader, focusing on intelligence
Perception
Can be seen as a backhanded compliment
Typically seen as a straightforward compliment
Compare with Definitions
Cunning
Strategic cleverness.
Her cunning plan ensured victory for her team.
Cleverness
Skill in problem-solving.
The puzzle required a bit of cleverness to solve.
Cunning
Skill in achieving one's goals through deceit.
He showed great cunning in evading the authorities.
Cleverness
Ability to grasp and comprehend quickly.
She amazed everyone with her cleverness during the quiz.
Cunning
Slyness or trickiness.
The fox is often depicted as a cunning animal in folklore.
Cleverness
Quality of being bright or intelligent.
Her cleverness was evident in her rapid calculations.
Cunning
Craftiness, especially in deception.
The spy relied on his cunning to gather information.
Cleverness
Aptitude for inventive thought.
The cleverness of his invention won him awards.
Cunning
Adeptness in manipulation.
His cunning ways often got him what he wanted.
Cleverness
Mentally quick and original; bright
A clever student.
Cunning
Marked by or given to artful subtlety and deceptiveness.
Cleverness
Skilled at accomplishing things, especially with the hands
A clever carpenter.
Cunning
Executed with or exhibiting ingenuity.
Cleverness
Crafty; cunning
"a hard-working kid who rose from poverty, only to be duped by rich, clever bankers" (Jeff Goodell).
Cunning
Delicately pleasing; pretty or cute
A cunning pet.
Cleverness
Exhibiting ingenuity or imagination; creative or artful
A clever experiment.
Cunning
Skill in deception; guile.
Cleverness
Witty; amusing
An evening of clever repartee.
Cunning
Skill or adeptness in execution or performance; dexterity.
Cleverness
Characterized by cunning or shrewdness
Clever manipulation of public opinion.
Cunning
Sly; crafty; clever in surreptitious behaviour.
Cleverness
New England Easily managed; docile
"Oxen must be pretty clever to be bossed around the way they are" (Dialect Notes).
Cunning
(obsolete) Skillful, artful.
Cleverness
Chiefly Southern US Good-natured; amiable.
Cunning
(obsolete) Wrought with, or exhibiting, skill or ingenuity; ingenious.
Cunning work
Cleverness
The property of being clever.
Cunning
Cute, appealing.
Cleverness
Something clever, or done cleverly.
Cunning
Practical knowledge or experience; aptitude in performance; skill, proficiency; dexterity.
Cleverness
The quality of being clever; skill; dexterity; adroitness.
Cunning
Practical skill employed in a secret or crafty manner; craft; artifice; skillful deceit; art or magic.
Cleverness
The power of creative imagination
Cunning
The disposition to employ one's skill in an artful manner; craftiness; guile; artifice; skill of being cunning, sly, conniving, or deceitful.
Cleverness
Intelligence as manifested in being quick and witty
Cunning
The natural wit or instincts of an animal.
The cunning of the fox or hare
Cleverness
The property of being ingenious;
A plot of great ingenuity
The cleverness of its design
Cunning
(obsolete) Knowledge; learning; special knowledge (sometimes implying occult or magical knowledge).
Cleverness
Quick-wittedness or sharpness.
He responded with such cleverness that the audience burst into laughter.
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.
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
Common Curiosities
Can cunning be seen as positive?
While typically associated with deceit, cunning can be positive when referring to strategic intelligence.
Is cleverness always seen as a positive trait?
Generally, yes. Cleverness acknowledges one's intelligence or skill without implying deceit.
Can a person be both cunning and clever?
Absolutely. Someone can be quick-witted (clever) and use it for deceitful strategies (cunning).
Why is cunning often associated with animals like foxes?
Folklore often attributes cunning to animals that use deception or slyness for survival.
What's the primary distinction between cunning and cleverness?
Cunning implies slyness or deceit, while cleverness denotes quick intelligence without deceit.
Which term is more likely to be used in a compliment?
Cleverness is more straightforwardly positive, while cunning can be a double-edged compliment.
Can one's cleverness be applied in deceitful ways?
Yes, when someone's quick intelligence is used for deceit, it may overlap with cunning.
Can a plan be both cunning and show cleverness?
Yes, a plan can be ingeniously crafted (cleverness) with strategic deception (cunning).
Can one be trained to be clever?
While some have a natural aptitude, training and learning can enhance clever problem-solving skills.
Does cleverness equate to high intelligence?
Cleverness indicates quick-wittedness or aptitude, but not necessarily overall intelligence.
How do cunning and cleverness play out in strategy games?
Cunning may involve deceptive moves, while cleverness focuses on smart, innovative plays.
How do cunning and cleverness differ in literature?
Cunning characters may deceive, while clever ones show intelligence, often in a positive light.
How is cleverness viewed in academic settings?
Cleverness is typically praised, highlighting quick understanding or inventive thought.
Can cunning ever be a straightforward compliment?
Context matters. In strategy or games, "cunning" can be a direct compliment, praising shrewdness.
Are all cunning actions negative?
Not necessarily. Cunning can simply denote strategic cleverness without negative intent.
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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.
Edited 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.
