as in intelligence
the ability to learn and understand or to deal with problems
you have the brains to figure out that problem on your own
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Recent Examples of brains
New Atlas, 3 May 2026
Co-written with veteran author Lin Oliver, the book incorporates the tools of MindUP, Hawn's mental health program, which teaches students about their brains and how to regulate emotions.
—Eric Andersson, PEOPLE, 1 May 2026
Only one way to find out, by dispatching a bunch of armed young people whose brains haven’t fully developed and telling them to make everyone obey, or else!
—Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 1 May 2026
Some archaeologists have proposed that dwelling may have changed our brains.
—Literary Hub, 1 May 2026
Octopuses, incidentally, have nine brains.
—Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2026
In other words, our brains are constantly in overdrive.
—Big Think, 1 May 2026
People who died of dementia had roughly 10 times more nanoplastics in their brains than others.
—Allison Palmer, Sacbee.com, 30 Apr. 2026
So what did our two political brains make of it all?
—Rob Crilly, The Washington Examiner, 24 Apr. 2026
Noun
That should help ensure that when two Sabi users think of typing out a particular word, the exact same word appears on screen – despite the signals from their brains potentially differing somewhat.
—New Atlas, 3 May 2026
Co-written with veteran author Lin Oliver, the book incorporates the tools of MindUP, Hawn's mental health program, which teaches students about their brains and how to regulate emotions.
—Eric Andersson, PEOPLE, 1 May 2026
Only one way to find out, by dispatching a bunch of armed young people whose brains haven’t fully developed and telling them to make everyone obey, or else!
—Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 1 May 2026
Some archaeologists have proposed that dwelling may have changed our brains.
—Literary Hub, 1 May 2026
Octopuses, incidentally, have nine brains.
—Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2026
In other words, our brains are constantly in overdrive.
—Big Think, 1 May 2026
People who died of dementia had roughly 10 times more nanoplastics in their brains than others.
—Allison Palmer, Sacbee.com, 30 Apr. 2026
So what did our two political brains make of it all?
—Rob Crilly, The Washington Examiner, 24 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brains
Noun
-
Charles is expected to talk about the defense, intelligence and security ties the countries have shared for decades.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Belarus’ presidential press service said the negotiations had involved intelligence services from seven countries.—
Claudia Ciobanu,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Thomas says that your sector of communications, intellect and ideas will be activated now.—
Tabitha Parent,
PEOPLE,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Blankfein isn’t the only business leader who believes that working hard is more powerful than natural intellect or pricey diplomas.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Keep the conversation moving, and let flexibility strengthen your position and perspective while maintaining your sense of balance and fairness.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
3 May 2026
-
While the work’s English title might indicate a sense of amusement or distraction, the Chinese title is an idiom that refers to being caught in a dilemma, like a boat that has left one shore but has not yet reached the other.—
Pauline J. Yao,
Artforum,
2 May 2026
Noun
-
The assassination attempt failed — and Hinckley was arrested, tried and found not guilty by reason of insanity in 1982.—
Kelsie Cairns,
FOXNews.com,
29 Apr. 2026
-
McCollum’s line was one of the biggest reasons the game never got complicated.—
C.J. Holmes,
New York Daily News,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Their top-30 visits, where NFL clubs host prospects at their facilities to gather further intel, are often smokescreens.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
19 Apr. 2026
-
These are in addition to private members clubs The Wilde and Cipriani, among other highlights.—
Luisa Zargani,
Footwear News,
16 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Now, researchers and oncologists need to throw their brainpower into understanding how to do that even better, whether with this drug paired with others, or with the next wave of treatments.—
Lisa Jarvis,
Mercury News,
23 Apr. 2026
-
To understand what’s next, follow the flow of money and brainpower.—
Diane Brady,
Fortune,
9 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
But the plot also retains a serial quality that saps momentum and betrays its TV roots.—
Naveen Kumar,
Variety,
21 Apr. 2026
-
But hamate surgery often saps a hitter of power, something Lindor, Carroll and Holliday were expected to supply in 2026.—
Andy McCullough,
New York Times,
12 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Brains.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brains. Accessed 7 May. 2026.
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