as in sense
the ability to learn and understand or to deal with problems
she's got the gray matter to figure that equation out
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of gray matter
In other words there’s a measurable reduction in brain volume or gray matter in certain areas.
—
Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 13 Aug. 2025
This town is built with two primary materials: white and gray matter.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 21 June 2025
Brain scans of people who spend time in nature show that their prefrontal cortex has more gray matter and a stronger ability to think clearly and self-regulate.
—Bryan Robinson, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024
The density of signals gives information about the molecular makeup of bodily tissues—distinguishing bone from blood, white matter from gray matter, tumors from healthy tissue.
—IEEE Spectrum, 25 Sep. 2012
See All Example Sentences for gray matter
Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 13 Aug. 2025
This town is built with two primary materials: white and gray matter.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 21 June 2025
Brain scans of people who spend time in nature show that their prefrontal cortex has more gray matter and a stronger ability to think clearly and self-regulate.
—Bryan Robinson, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024
The density of signals gives information about the molecular makeup of bodily tissues—distinguishing bone from blood, white matter from gray matter, tumors from healthy tissue.
—IEEE Spectrum, 25 Sep. 2012
See All Example Sentences for gray matter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gray matter
Noun
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Eliminating the need for manual adjustments—whether for meals or for any other changes during the day—would give people with diabetes a tremendous sense of freedom.—
Carrie Arnold,
Scientific American,
14 Oct. 2025
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That choice can shape your income, your sense of purpose, and the arc of your career.—
Suzy Welch,
CNBC,
14 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Civilians working in cybersecurity, medical care, weapons systems maintenance, intelligence, and logistics are still working and are not included in Trump’s order to pay active-duty personnel.—
Terry Moseley,
USA Today,
16 Oct. 2025
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An Israeli official told CNN that Israel has shared information, based on its intelligence, on the location of some of the bodies of deceased hostages in Gaza.—
Lauren Kent,
CNN Money,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Curriculums teach about the laws and governmental acts in place that withheld education and advancement from the enslaved, but skip over the intellect and radical acts Black people achieved anyway.—
Taylor Cassidy,
Time,
15 Oct. 2025
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Know that you are loved in all ways, especially for your wit, intellect, and personality above anything else.—
Lisa Stardust,
Refinery29,
14 Oct. 2025
Noun
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When looking for reasons the Nuggets will win a championship, Braun belongs high on the checklist.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
17 Oct. 2025
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Same reason Japanese sensation Roki Sasaki – who has emerged as the Dodgers’ surprise solution at closer – brought his talents here.—
Mirjam Swanson,
Oc Register,
17 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Gray matter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gray%20matter. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.
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