What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
wily
Example
The wily politician managed to win the election by making false promises. [wily: adjective]
Example
She used her wily charm to get what she wanted from her boss. [wily: noun]
shrewd
Example
He made a shrewd investment in the stock market and earned a lot of money. [shrewd: adjective]
Example
Her shrewdness in business negotiations helped her close the deal successfully. [shrewdness: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Shrewd is more commonly used than wily in everyday language. Shrewd is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while wily is less common and has a more specific connotation.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between wily and shrewd?
Both wily and shrewd can be used in formal and informal contexts, but shrewd is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
