Adjective

(er)

showing clever resourcefulness in practical matters

artful, tricky or cunning

streetwise

*

knowledgeable

* {{quote-news

, year=2011 , date=November 10 , author=Jeremy Wilson , title=tEngland Under 21 5 Iceland Under 21 0: match report , work=Telegraph citation , page= , passage=The most persistent tormentor was Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who scored a hat-trick in last month’s corresponding fixture in Iceland. His ability to run at defences is instantly striking, but it is his clever use of possession that has persuaded some shrewd judges that he is an even better prospect than Theo Walcott. }}

(archaic) Scolding, satirical, sharp.

* 1599 ,

LEONATO. By my troth, niece, thou wilt never get thee a husband, if thou be so shrewd of thy tongue.

Adjective

(en adjective)

Using manipulation purposefully.

* {{quote-magazine, date=2012-01

, author=Robert M. Pringle , title=How to Be Manipulative , volume=100, issue=1, page=31 , magazine= citation , passage=As in much of biology, the most satisfying truths in ecology derive from manipulative experimentation. Tinker with nature and quantify how it responds.}}

Tending to manipulate others.

(pejorative) Reaching one's goals at the expense of other people by using them.