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
Alicia Garceau, NPR, 6 Mar. 2026
For the big brains at Pixar, always up for a conceptual challenge, interspecies communication is not a given to be embraced but a problem to be solved.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 6 Mar. 2026
Myrna is the brains behind the duo but gets none of the credit.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 5 Mar. 2026
Johnson hopes her son could be helped by a prescription drug called leucovorin, which may help some children who have abnormally low levels of the vitamin folate in their brains.
—Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 5 Mar. 2026
Is this just nostalgia or our brains and bodies pushing back against digital overload?
—Dana Taylor, USA Today, 4 Mar. 2026
Keep your points short and focused Our brains can only hold a limited amount of information at once — roughly four key ideas.
—Kathy and Ross Petrass, CNBC, 4 Mar. 2026
In the jubilant Dodger dugout, Roberts held his hands to the side of his head, as if keeping his brains from exploding.
—Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 4 Mar. 2026
The brains behind Ponce City Market will help tackle the long-struggling site … and attempt to lure an NHL team to town.
—Tyler Estep, AJC.com, 27 Feb. 2026
Noun
Can the same approach work to rewire the brains of teenagers who have grown up with tech and ultraprocessed foods?
—Alicia Garceau, NPR, 6 Mar. 2026
For the big brains at Pixar, always up for a conceptual challenge, interspecies communication is not a given to be embraced but a problem to be solved.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 6 Mar. 2026
Myrna is the brains behind the duo but gets none of the credit.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 5 Mar. 2026
Johnson hopes her son could be helped by a prescription drug called leucovorin, which may help some children who have abnormally low levels of the vitamin folate in their brains.
—Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 5 Mar. 2026
Is this just nostalgia or our brains and bodies pushing back against digital overload?
—Dana Taylor, USA Today, 4 Mar. 2026
Keep your points short and focused Our brains can only hold a limited amount of information at once — roughly four key ideas.
—Kathy and Ross Petrass, CNBC, 4 Mar. 2026
In the jubilant Dodger dugout, Roberts held his hands to the side of his head, as if keeping his brains from exploding.
—Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 4 Mar. 2026
The brains behind Ponce City Market will help tackle the long-struggling site … and attempt to lure an NHL team to town.
—Tyler Estep, AJC.com, 27 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brains
Noun
-
Shipping intelligence data provider Kpler estimates around 12 million barrels of crude oil to have passed through the strait since the war started.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
11 Mar. 2026
-
During the 1980s Iran-Iraq War, the United States actively supported Saddam Hussein — providing intelligence and diplomatic cover even as Iraq deployed chemical weapons against Iranian soldiers and civilians.—
Letters to the Editor,
Oc Register,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
At its core, reading a physical book, particularly a novel, connotes more than just taste, intellect, or even a desire to pass your time in a more productive way than doomscrolling.—
Elizabeth Logan,
Glamour,
9 Mar. 2026
-
That effect, in Anderson’s succinct terms, is one of pleasure or displeasure—both are embedded in an experience as much of the body as the intellect.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The small, walkable village of Tubac is the ideal destination for a day trip or weekend getaway, one with dozens of unique galleries that embrace a sense of place in the Sonoran Desert.—
Molly Allen,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Mar. 2026
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But there was something profound about the sense of connection and engagement that all kinds of writing gave him.—
Louisa Thomas,
New Yorker,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The reasons for this are manifold, but include the fact that the Academy’s directors’ branch, which decides on the nominations, is still predominantly male, and has historically overlooked the work of women.—
Radhika Seth,
Vogue,
11 Mar. 2026
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Mansfield Summit Coach Emund Pritchett said the program lost 7 players from last year’s team for various reasons, but some could’ve been back.—
Cody Thorn,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
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These are in addition to private members clubs The Wilde and Cipriani, among other highlights.—
Luisa Zargani,
Footwear News,
16 Jan. 2026
-
Shane Stant clubs Kerrigan on the knee and flees the scene.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
To understand what’s next, follow the flow of money and brainpower.—
Diane Brady,
Fortune,
9 Dec. 2025
-
But the Lambert High School team had advantages, beyond audacity and brainpower.—
Bill Whitaker,
CBS News,
1 Dec. 2025
Verb
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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
-
An overreliance on tools weakens our civilization (and saps the film’s dramatic thrills).—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Brains.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brains. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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