cunningly

IPA/ˈkʌnɪŋli/
IPA/ˈkʌnɪŋli/

cunningly — adverb

1. In a way that shows careful, intelligent planning, often with the aim of deceivi

1.副詞B2
釋義

In a way that shows careful, intelligent planning, often with the aim of deceiving someone or achieving a clever result that benefits the planner.

例句

Jude cunningly hid his chocolate stash behind the loose brick in the garden wall.

cunningly + hide [object] in/behind [place]

The marketing team cunningly designed the packaging to make the small box look as if it held twice as much.

cunningly + design [object] to [infinitive]

同義詞
  • slyly

    more negative focus on sneakiness rather than intelligence

  • craftily

    similar register, emphasises skill in deception

  • artfully

    can be positive or negative; overlaps with the skillfully-made aspect of 'cunningly'

  • shrewdly

    focuses on practical intelligence with less moral judgment

反義詞
  • naively

    suggests lack of smart planning or awareness

  • honestly

    opposite in terms of deception; implies straightforwardness

用法筆記

Common with verbs of hiding (conceal, hide), designing (plan, devise), or persuading (convince, talk into). The cleverness always carries a slightly dishonest or self-serving edge — unlike 'cleverly', which can be purely positive.

常見錯誤

❌She cunningly solved the math problem.
✅She cleverly solved the math problem.
💡'cunningly' implies trickery or self-serving deception; use 'cleverly' for neutral or positive intelligence.
❌The cat cunningly jumped onto the shelf.
✅The cat nimbly jumped onto the shelf.
💡'cunningly' requires planning and intent, not just physical skill.