Collocations for "cunning"
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word "cunning" in context.
WordReference English Collocations © 2025
cunning
ⓘMost examples are given in US English. We have labeled exceptions as UK.adj
- [have, need] to be cunning to [defeat, win, evade, survive]
- [have] to be cunning if you want to [win, evade, survive]
- a cunning [man, player, thief, scientist]
- [manipulated, fooled, convinced] by a cunning [crook]
- a cunning [victory, escape]
- a cunning [ploy, attempt] to [win, steal, get]
- a cunning example of
- [came up with, devised, drew up] a cunning plan (to)
- what a cunning [idea, plan, trick]!
- a cunning [answer, observation, response]
- that was (very) cunning!
- is too cunning for me
- (not) cunning enough to
- wish I could be more cunning
- wish I could be cunning like him
- as cunning as a fox
- cunning and [deceiving, insidious, ruthless]
- showed [great, deep, skillful] cunning
- showed [great] cunning in [outsmarting, beating, winning]
- [relied, depended] on his cunning (to)
- used her cunning to [obtain, get, deceive, fool, evade, defeat]
- [calls for, requires] great cunning
- huge resources of cunning to [survive, break free, escape]
- The [player, fox, seller] has a lot of cunning.
- resort to [trickery, dishonesty] and cunning
- the cunning of a fox
'cunning' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):