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Definition of ingeniousnext

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective ingenious differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of ingenious are adroit, clever, and cunning. While all these words mean "having or showing practical wit or skill in contriving," ingenious suggests the power of inventing or discovering a new way of accomplishing something.

an ingenious software engineer

In what contexts can adroit take the place of ingenious?

The meanings of adroit and ingenious largely overlap; however, adroit often implies a skillful use of expedients to achieve one's purpose in spite of difficulties.

an adroit negotiator

When is it sensible to use clever instead of ingenious?

The words clever and ingenious can be used in similar contexts, but clever stresses physical or mental quickness, deftness, or great aptitude.

a person clever with horses

When might cunning be a better fit than ingenious?

Although the words cunning and ingenious have much in common, cunning implies great skill in constructing or creating.

a filmmaker cunning in his use of special effects

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of ingenious The concert recording, captured on April 26, 1975 — nearly half a year before the album was released — at the Los Angeles Sports Arena by an ingenious bootlegger, sounds about as good as a stereo tape capturing live quadrophonic sound could. Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 11 Dec. 2025 Welles commits himself so deeply to Shakespeare’s most ingenious comic creation that the film has often been seen as a kind of self-portrait, filled in equal measure with delightful ribaldry and heartbreaking pathos. Vince Aletti, New Yorker, 5 Dec. 2025 Beyond rivals the finest Zelda dungeons with its ability to present you with a litany of ingenious puzzles to solve and levels to navigate, micro tasks to complete, and macro goals to accomplish. PC Magazine, 2 Dec. 2025 Planet exploration would be shaped by ingenious robotic rovers that have ventured across the Moon, Mars, and even asteroids. Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 26 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ingenious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ingenious
Adjective
  • Some lean into local sourcing, others spotlight inventive beverage programs or embrace dietary inclusivity.
    Susan Stapleton, Des Moines Register, 9 Jan. 2026
  • With an inventive concept inspired by the Dutch series De Verraders and a superbly dressed host, The Traitors is a murder mystery game show par excellence.
    Emily Kelleher, InStyle, 8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Each clever accessory is under $15 — that’s less than the cost of a sandwich special at my favorite deli.
    Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 11 Jan. 2026
  • With two bedrooms and two baths, the home is surprisingly expansive, boasting just under 2,400 square feet across its clever layout.
    Miriam Schwartz, Boston Herald, 9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Based on the Qiushi article, the government is expected to implement more innovative and targeted measures, Michelle Kwok, HSBC’s head of Asia real estate and Hong Kong equity research, wrote in a report Thursday.
    Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 9 Jan. 2026
  • At this exclusive, high-energy event, the world’s most innovative leaders will convene to explore how AI, humanity, and strategy converge to redefine, again, the future of work.
    Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Yet these touches are never extreme or imaginative or entertaining enough to match, say, the wild ride that was The Hunting Wives.
    Judy Berman, Time, 8 Jan. 2026
  • With a new season of The Masked Singer comes a new crop of imaginative costumes for the celebrity vocalists to disguise themselves in.
    Christopher Rudolph, PEOPLE, 7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • The Town will shift its focus toward fresh, creative ways to celebrate Addison's incredible culinary scene.
    Robbie Owens, CBS News, 10 Jan. 2026
  • Always ready for fun, Rose enjoys laughing, moving and finding creative ways to express herself.
    The Star, Kansas City Star, 10 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • That said, the Rams are so balanced and talented on offense that their defense just needs to make a turnover or two to keep the opponent down.
    Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 10 Jan. 2026
  • The two seemed to make an ideal pair, if only because they are both regarded as very talented actors and comedians.
    Martha Ross, Mercury News, 9 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Ingenious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ingenious. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on ingenious

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