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
Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 16 Feb. 2026
He's answered each with an instantly recognizable theme that helped cement these imaginary places in our brains.
—Alex Galbraith, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Feb. 2026
While cow brains are considered a delicacy in some culinary traditions, texture proved to be a deal-breaker for the TV host, per Mental Floss.
—Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 14 Feb. 2026
The results revealed subjects who napped had weaker synaptic connections in their brains than those who stayed awake.
—Hunter Boyce, AJC.com, 11 Feb. 2026
One of the reasons Payton and Paton work well together is that their scouting eyes and brains mesh well.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 11 Feb. 2026
Neuroscientists proceeded to look for biological analogues in mouse brains, and were pleased to discover them.
—Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
The real prize will be to apply CellTransformer to human brains.
—Amber Dance, Quanta Magazine, 9 Feb. 2026
More than 90% of the 376 former NFL players’ brains studied were identified as having this degenerative disease, which is strongly associated with dementia.
—Eleanor M. Perfetto, STAT, 7 Feb. 2026
Noun
Big brains would mingle with money and power, often convened at salon-like gatherings thrown by powerful literary agents like John Brockman, who represented figures like Pinker.
—Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 16 Feb. 2026
He's answered each with an instantly recognizable theme that helped cement these imaginary places in our brains.
—Alex Galbraith, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Feb. 2026
While cow brains are considered a delicacy in some culinary traditions, texture proved to be a deal-breaker for the TV host, per Mental Floss.
—Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 14 Feb. 2026
The results revealed subjects who napped had weaker synaptic connections in their brains than those who stayed awake.
—Hunter Boyce, AJC.com, 11 Feb. 2026
One of the reasons Payton and Paton work well together is that their scouting eyes and brains mesh well.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 11 Feb. 2026
Neuroscientists proceeded to look for biological analogues in mouse brains, and were pleased to discover them.
—Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
The real prize will be to apply CellTransformer to human brains.
—Amber Dance, Quanta Magazine, 9 Feb. 2026
More than 90% of the 376 former NFL players’ brains studied were identified as having this degenerative disease, which is strongly associated with dementia.
—Eleanor M. Perfetto, STAT, 7 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brains
Noun
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An array of former intelligence and law enforcement officials have received subpoenas in the investigation.—
Eric Tucker,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Feb. 2026
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About 13 million barrels per day of crude oil transited the Strait of Hormuz in 2025, accounting for roughly 31% of global seaborne crude flows, data provided by market intelligence firm Kpler showed.—
Sam Meredith,
CNBC,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Duncan will recur as Mimir, a cheery fellow from Celtic lands with an expansive intellect, a quick wit and a good head on his shoulders.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
30 Jan. 2026
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What came to him naturally was his intellect.—
Kevin Kruse,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Much of the crowd has–or knows someone who has, contributed to the sense of community that permeates the space.—
Jessica Chapel,
Condé Nast Traveler,
15 Feb. 2026
-
As a three-term Mecklenburg County commissioner, my daily concern is delivering common-sense solutions to our problems as efficiently as possible to keep the tax rate low.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Lawmakers in New Mexico also cited the intense immigration enforcement efforts in Minnesota as a reason to limit cooperation with ICE.—
David A. Lieb,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2026
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While Western thought often separates the two, in Chinese culture, emotion and reason are more deeply intertwined.—
Precious Adesina,
CNN Money,
17 Feb. 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
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To understand what’s next, follow the flow of money and brainpower.—
Diane Brady,
Fortune,
9 Dec. 2025
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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
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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 19 Feb. 2026.
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