[shrewd] adj [ME shrewed, fr. shrewe + [1]-ed] (13c) 1 archaic: mischievous
2. obs: abusive, shrewish 3 obs: ominous, dangerous
4. a: severe, hard "a ~ knock" b: sharp, piercing "a ~ wind"
5. a: marked by clever discerning awareness and hardheaded acumen "~ common sense" b: given to wily and artful ways or dealing "a ~ operator" -- shrewd.ly adv -- shrewd.ness n syn shrewd, sagacious, perspicacious, astute mean acute in perception and sound in judgment. shrewd stresses practical, hardheaded cleverness and judgment "a shrewd judge of character". sagacious suggests wisdom, penetration, and farsightedness "sagacious investors got in on the ground floor". perspicacious implies unusual power to see through and understand what is puzzling or hidden "a perspicacious counselor saw through the child's facade". astute suggests shrewdness, perspicacity, and diplomatic skill "an astute player of party politics".