1
as in intelligent
having or showing a practical cleverness or judgment
a smart investment that has really paid off
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in clever
having or showing quickness of mind
a smart child who will do well in school
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3
as in witty
given to or marked by mature intelligent humor
something one sees so rarely on TV: a smart sitcom
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4
as in elegant
being strikingly neat and trim in style or appearance
dressed in their smart new uniforms, the cadets proudly paraded around the grounds of the military school
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5
as in stylish
being in the latest or current fashion
boutiques specializing in smart clothes for cosmopolitan women
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6
as in cute
making light of something usually regarded as serious or sacred
just joked and made smart comments during the ceremony
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7
as in sophisticated
having a wide and refined knowledge of the world especially from personal experience
a novelist who got much of the material for his works by hanging out with the smart set
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1
as in tingle
a sharp unpleasant sensation usually felt in some specific part of the body
the toddler was whining over the smart from the cut
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2
as in sense
smarts plural
the ability to learn and understand or to deal with problems
she had the smarts to start college at age 16, but perhaps not the emotional maturity
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in smartly
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Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of smart
Rosehill Gardens, Kansas City Star, 20 Mar. 2026
That was such a smart tie-in at the beginning of the episode; Carolyn actually attended Gianni Versace’s funeral in July 1997 and was sitting a couple rows behind Princess Diana.
—Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 20 Mar. 2026
Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 16 Jan. 2026
Last summer, Edwards was smarting again from a 4-1 loss to the Thunder in the conference finals.
—Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2026
René Guzman, San Antonio Express-News, 4 Mar. 2026
Spencer’s sharpshooting, smarts and toughness have been welcome in Memphis, which has several good young players, and Spencer figures to be part of the fold for years to come.
—Kels Dayton, Hartford Courant, 2 Mar. 2026
Thomas Hindle, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Apr. 2022
No smart-shaming allowed here.
—Neil Senturia, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Mar. 2022
See All Example Sentences for smart
Adjective
This ecological approach goes hand in hand with smart drainage strategies.
—Rosehill Gardens, Kansas City Star, 20 Mar. 2026
That was such a smart tie-in at the beginning of the episode; Carolyn actually attended Gianni Versace’s funeral in July 1997 and was sitting a couple rows behind Princess Diana.
—Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 20 Mar. 2026
Verb
Her must-haves span everything from a wrinkle-busting travel steamer and sleep-friendly essentials to smart in-flight upgrades and organizational tools that keep her carry-on under control.
—Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 16 Jan. 2026
Last summer, Edwards was smarting again from a 4-1 loss to the Thunder in the conference finals.
—Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2026
Noun
Two of the top authors in science fiction will bring their book smarts to San Antonio.
—René Guzman, San Antonio Express-News, 4 Mar. 2026
Spencer’s sharpshooting, smarts and toughness have been welcome in Memphis, which has several good young players, and Spencer figures to be part of the fold for years to come.
—Kels Dayton, Hartford Courant, 2 Mar. 2026
Adverb
The stand has a sleek design made from thin but sturdy fiberglass, pieced together in a smart-looking Z-shape.
—Thomas Hindle, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Apr. 2022
No smart-shaming allowed here.
—Neil Senturia, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Mar. 2022
See All Example Sentences for smart
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smart
Adjective
-
And was obviously very talented and very intelligent to do so serious and self-critical work, which was really a breakthrough in this field.—
Mariel Carr,
Scientific American,
20 Mar. 2026
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Also this week, Blank Street is opening bigger stores, Chipotle has a shockingly intelligent chat bot on its website, and more.—
Li Goldstein,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
20 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Now, researchers in Germany have found a clever solution that involves turning Martian-like dust and hardy microbes into a working fertilizer system that can produce edible plants.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
21 Mar. 2026
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Dozens of listeners emailed us with their cleverest, tried-and-true methods.—
Mika Ellison,
NPR,
20 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Although this year’s edition of the Oscars, which aired on ABC on March 15, was hardly in the class of the 1972 installment, there was at least one moment that recalled Johnson’s witty, graceful sendup of stars commandeering the ceremony to climb atop their soapbox.—
Peter Tonguette,
The Washington Examiner,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Keynote and PowerPoint both include exciting transition effects, but Apple’s are slightly wittier.—
Edward Mendelson,
PC Magazine,
19 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
With its elegant styling, comfortable three-row layout and strong hybrid powertrain, the TX stands as a polished new flagship in Lexus’ SUV lineup.—
Sponsored Content,
Denver Post,
21 Mar. 2026
-
Onassis enlisted high society decorator Sister Parish to design the interiors, creating an elegant yet comfortable setting where the young political power couple entertained Washington insiders and journalists.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
20 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Restaurant by day, stylish club by night.—
Zacharia Washington,
Dallas Morning News,
20 Mar. 2026
-
The technical goals don’t interfere with the home’s stylish design, though.—
Tori Latham,
Robb Report,
20 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
But there’s nothing wrong with getting something cute with a tomato or a cherry on it.—
Emily Johnson,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Despite its cute, turkey-sized appearance, the Doolysaurus was a hardy survivor.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
19 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
But while the packaging and TikTok fame might skew young, the formulas themselves are no joke—Laneige has long focused on sophisticated hydration that leaves skin looking plump, smooth, and healthy.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
21 Mar. 2026
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Sharper tailoring and column dresses marked a move away from last year’s relaxed layering and flowing silhouettes, pointing toward more sophisticated styles and a focus on longevity.—
Mayu Saini,
Sourcing Journal,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Higher prices will also hurt Southeast Asia, the world's third largest coal-consuming region.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Another person riding a scooter was also hurt in the crash.—
Jermont Terry,
CBS News,
24 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Smart.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smart. Accessed 26 Mar. 2026.
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