Definition

Adverb: - In a clever, skillful, or deceptive way: "Cunningly" describes an action performed with cleverness, skill, or artfulness, often involving trickery or deceit to achieve a goal. - In an attractive or pleasingly skillful manner: It can also describe something done in a way that is attractively clever or skillful.

Usage and Examples

• Used to describe a clever or deceptive action:
  • The spy cunningly obtained the secret documents without raising suspicion.
  • The thief cunningly disguised himself as a security guard.
• Used to describe something done with attractive skill:
  • The dress was cunningly tailored to accentuate her figure.
  • The plot of the novel was cunningly constructed to keep readers guessing.

Advanced Usage

• "To act cunningly": to behave in a clever and often deceptive manner.
  • The fox acted cunningly to escape the hunters.
• "Cunningly devised": cleverly or ingeniously planned or created.
  • The escape plan was a cunningly devised scheme.

Variants and Related Words

• Cunning (adjective): Having or showing skill in achieving one's ends by deceit or evasion; clever.
  • The cunning politician avoided answering the difficult question.
• Cunning (noun): Skill in achieving one's ends by deceit; craftiness.
  • He used all his cunning to win the game.

Synonyms

• Artfully: In a clever or skillful way, often with a hint of deception.
• Craftily: In a cleverly deceitful or cunning way.
• Deviously: In a manner that is not straightforward or honest; deceitfully.
• Slyly: In a cunning and deceitful manner.
• Ingeniously: In a clever, original, and inventive manner (often without the negative connotation of deceit).

Antonyms

• Clumsily: In an awkward or unskillful way.
• Honestly: In a truthful, fair, or sincere manner.
• Naively: In a manner showing a lack of experience, wisdom, or judgment.
• Straightforwardly: In a direct and honest way, without deception.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• As cunning as a fox: Extremely clever and deceptive.
  • Be careful when negotiating with him; he's as cunning as a fox.
• A cunning plan: A clever and often complex scheme.
  • The villain explained his cunning plan to take over the world.

Adverb

1. in an artful manner
   • he craftily arranged to be there when the decision was announced
   • had ever circumstances conspired so cunningly?
2. in an attractive manner
   • how cunningly the olive-green dress with its underskirt of rose-brocade fitted her perfect figure