Shrewd meaning

"Wise" is defined as having, experiencing or showing "knowledge and good judgement", whereas "shrewd" is defined by as "having or showing sharp powers of judgement; astute". Does this mean that "shrewd" is simply a synonym and therefore the two adjectives can be used interchangeably, or does it have a subtle difference, i.e. shrewdness is the application of knowledge to a greater extent [than wisdom]? How would this affect their application in everyday language? Thanks! Wise is universally positive; and in that definition showing doesn't mean "giving the appearance of; seeming", it means "demonstrating; evidencing". By contrast, shrewd is often slightly pejorative, as in a "shrewd businessman manipulating a deal" such that he gets the best end of it. One does not need to be wise to be shrewd, though it helps, and one certainly does not need to be shrewd to be wise. They're mostly unrelated in application. I the US, shrewd tends to imply "sneaky" or "of questionable honesty". When not totally pejorative, it still implies more of an ability to assess the mental, social, and financial state of others and react accordingly (as in "shrewd businessman") than actual wisdom. It would not be at all unusual for someone to say "He's not that smart, but he's a shrewd businessman." I think this is mainly a matter of opinion. On average, a wise person is more likely to be one who shares his wisdom to benefit others, whereas a shrewd person often uses his shrewdness "covertly" for his ow...

Context examples There was much sense in your smile: it was very shrewd, and seemed to make light of your own abstraction. (Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë) Every blow was shrewd to hurt; and he delivered a multitude of blows. (White Fang, by Jack London) In a little time your wrist will be stronger and your cut more shrewd. (The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle) It was in taking advantage of such circumstances that the art of ringcraft lay, and many a shrewd and vigilant second had won a losing battle for his man. (Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle) She is a shrewd, intelligent, sensible woman. (Persuasion, by Jane Austen) ‘You seem to have made a vast impression upon my brother Arthur,’ said he; ‘and I know that he is a pretty shrewd judge.’ (The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle) I'm afraid I am a shrewd merchant, peering into the scales, trying to weigh your love and find out what manner of thing it is. (Martin Eden, by Jack London) The man struck the shrewd blow he had purposely withheld for so long, and Buck crumpled up and went down, knocked utterly senseless. (The Call of the Wild, by Jack London) Louis surveyed me with his shrewd grey eyes, and shook his head portentously. (The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London) He reluctantly departs, but his wrongs weigh upon his spirit, and by-and-by when an opportunity comes to redress them, he outwits Mamma by a shrewd bargain. (Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott) Learn English with... Proverbs

The Valiant Woman sets an example of exceptional acumen in her work. The proverbs describe this virtue as “prudent” (Prov. 19:14) or “shrewd” (Prov. 1:4). We may tend to think of shrewd people as those who take advantage of others, but in Proverbs it carries the idea of making the most of resources and circumstances. If we understand shrewdness as “clever discerning awareness and hardheaded acumen” [1] then we see the kind of shrewd wisdom God intends for workers. A Shrewd Worker Employs Keen Awareness and Judgment This Valiant Woman’s shrewdness is displayed in the keen awareness with which she sources her materials. “She seeks wool and flax… She is like the ships of the merchant” (Prov. 31:13-14). Today’s manufacturer or craftsperson can be shrewd in the selection of materials or can unwisely settle for materials that will not hold up well. Investments in research and development, market analysis, logistics, strategic partnerships and community involvement may yield large payoffs in the future. On an individual level, good judgment is invaluable. An investment adviser who can match a client’s future needs with the risks and rewards inherent in various investment vehicles is performing a godly service. A Shrewd Worker Prepares for All Known Contingencies The Valiant Woman “is not afraid for her household when it snows, for all her household are clothed in crimson. She makes herself coverings; her clothing is fine linen and purple” (Prov. 31:21-22). Her material preparatio...

Contents • 1 English • 1.1 Alternative forms • 1.2 Etymology • 1.3 Pronunciation • 1.4 Adjective • 1.4.1 Derived terms • 1.4.2 Translations English [ ] Alternative forms [ ] • obsolete) Etymology [ ] c. 1300, ( “ depraved; wicked ”, literally “ accursed ” ), from ( “ to curse; beshrew ” ), from ( “ evil or wicked person/thing ” ), from ( “ wicked person ”, literally “ biter ” ). Equivalent to The sense of "cunning" developed in early 16 th c., gradually gaining a positive connotation by 17 th c. Pronunciation [ ] • shro͞od, ( /ʃɹuːd/ • Audio (UK) ( • Rhymes: -uːd Adjective [ ] shrewd ( • Showing • • ( ) • • Arabic: ( ḥāḏiq ) • Belarusian: ( praktyčny ), ( razvažlivy ) • Bulgarian: ( lovǎk ) • Catalan: • Chinese: Mandarin: ( jīngmíng ) • Czech: • Danish: • Dutch: • Finnish: • French: • Galician: • Georgian: ( mḳvetri ) • German: • Hungarian: • Indonesian: • Irish: • Italian: • Japanese: ( けんめいな, kenmei na ), ( かしこい, kashikoi ) • Latin: • Macedonian: ( ostróumen ) • Maori: • Middle English: • Norwegian: • Persian: ( rend ) • Plautdietsch: • Portuguese: • Russian: ( praktíčnyj ), ( rasčótlivyj ), ( pronicátelʹnyj ) • Scottish Gaelic: • Spanish: • Swedish: • Thai: ( chà-lǐao-chà-làat ), ( làk-lɛ̌ɛm ), ( mii-wǎi-príp ) • Arabic: ( nāṣiḥ ), ( nabīh ) • Belarusian: please add this translation if you can • Bulgarian: ( hitǎr ), ( otrakan ) • Catalan: • Chinese: Mandarin: ( jiǎohuá ) • Czech: • Danish: ( old ) • Dutch: • Finnish: • French: • Galician: • Georgian: please add this tr...

Princeton's WordNet Rate this definition: 0.0 / 0 votes • astute, sharp, shrewd adjective marked by practical hardheaded intelligence "a smart businessman"; "an astute tenant always reads the small print in a lease"; "he was too shrewd to go along with them on a road that could lead only to their overthrow" • calculating, calculative, conniving, scheming, shrewd adjective used of persons "the most calculating and selfish men in the community" Samuel Johnson's Dictionary Rate this definition: 0.0 / 0 votes • Shrewd adjective Etymology: Contracted from shrewed. 1. Having the qualities of a shrew; malicious; troublesome; mischievous. Her eldest sister is so curst and shrewd, That ’till the father rids his hands of her, Your love must live a maid. William Shakespeare. 2. Maliciously sly; cunning; more artful than good. It was a shrewd saying of the old monk, that two kind of prisons would serve for all offenders, an inquisition and a bedlam: if any man should deny the being of a God, and the immortality of the soul, such a one should be put into the first, as being a desperate heretick; but if any man should profess to believe these things, and yet allow himself in any known wickedness, such a one should be put into bedlam. John Tillotson. A spiteful saying gratifies so many little passions, that it meets with a good reception; and the man who utters it is looked upon as a shrewd satirist. Addison. Corruption proceeds from employing those who have the character of shrewd world...