shrewdness crossword – All Crossword Answers
Welcome to Answercrossword.com! Here you'll find all the potential answers for the crossword clue "shrewdness crossword", complete with explanations to help you understand the nuances and complete your puzzle with ease. Whether you need a short answer or a longer solution, we've got you covered.
Solutions for "shrewdness crossword" by Letter Count
6 Letters
ACUMEN: Sharpness of intellect; ability to make good judgments.
7 Letters
CUNNING: Having or showing skill in achieving one's ends by deceit or evasion; often used in crosswords to imply cleverness or shrewdness.
8 Letters
SAGACITY: The quality of having or showing keen mental discernment and good judgment; wisdom.
10 Letters
ASTUTENESS: The quality of being astute, which refers to the ability to accurately assess situations or people and turn this to one's advantage.
More About "shrewdness crossword"
The term "shrewdness" in crosswords is a classic. It points to a particular kind of intelligence – not just knowledge, but practical wisdom, keen insight, and the ability to make smart decisions, often quickly and effectively. Constructors love this clue because it has several excellent synonyms that vary in length, allowing them flexibility in puzzle design.
When you encounter "shrewdness" as a clue, think about words that convey mental sharpness, discernment, and a savvy approach to situations. While some synonyms like "cunning" might have a slightly negative tint in everyday use, in the world of crosswords, they often simply mean cleverness or a sharp mind, fitting perfectly within the definition of shrewdness.
Understanding these subtle differences and common crossword patterns will significantly improve your solving speed. Always consider the precise number of letters required and any intersecting letters you've already filled in to narrow down the possibilities.
Tips For Your Next Puzzle
- Count Letters Carefully: Always double-check the number of boxes in the grid against your potential answer. This is the first and most critical filter for "shrewdness crossword" clues.
- Look for Intersections: Use letters from already solved intersecting clues to confirm or eliminate possible answers. For instance, if you have an 'A' as the third letter, 'SAGACITY' would be ruled out for an 8-letter answer.
- Consider Nuance: Some synonyms of 'shrewdness' (like CUNNING) can have slight negative connotations. If the puzzle has a theme or other clues suggest a positive or neutral tone, opt for answers like ACUMEN or SAGACITY.
- Brainstorm Synonyms: Before looking up answers, try to list as many synonyms for 'shrewdness' as you can think of. This practice helps build your crossword vocabulary over time.
For more advice, visit our page on general crossword strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'shrewdness' mean in a crossword context?
In crosswords, 'shrewdness' typically refers to the quality of having or showing keen practical intelligence, sharp judgment, and often a clever or discerning mind. Answers will usually be synonyms like ACUMEN, SAGACITY, or ASTUTENESS.
Why might a crossword clue for 'shrewdness' have multiple answers of different lengths?
Crossword clues often have multiple valid answers because many words are synonyms or closely related in meaning. The specific answer needed depends on the number of letters provided in the grid and any intersecting letters from other clues. For 'shrewdness', words like ACUMEN (6 letters) and SAGACITY (8 letters) are both correct but fit different grid constraints.
Are there negative connotations for answers like 'CUNNING' for 'shrewdness'?
While 'cunning' can imply deceit or slyness in everyday language, in crosswords, it's often used to denote a cleverness or sharp wit that aligns with 'shrewdness'. Crossword constructors sometimes play on the broader or older meanings of words. Context within the puzzle is key to determining if a more neutral or a slightly negative synonym is required.