GRAY MATTER Synonyms: 56 Similar and Opposite Words

gray matter

noun

Definition of gray matter

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of gray matter The researchers measured the participants’ vitamin C levels using blood samples and performed MRI scans to calculate the volume of gray matter and white matter in their brains. — Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 16 June 2026 Results showed that participants with higher plasma vitamin C levels tended to have more gray matter volume and more connectivity in their default mode network than peers who had less vitamin C circulating in their blood. — Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 10 June 2026 The clearest finding is a reduction in gray matter in areas of the brain linked to empathy, understanding other people’s perspectives and social bonds, Saxbe said. — Meg Wingerter, Denver Post, 10 May 2026 The gray matter in our brains as early teenagers is actually the fullest of our lives. — Kara Alaimo, CNN Money, 28 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for gray matter

Recent Examples of Synonyms for gray matter

Noun

Investors should also look at a fund's 30-day SEC yield to get a sense of what the company is generating in terms of income.

— Cheryl Winokur Munk, CNBC, 18 Oct. 2026
Government buildings were vandalized in multiple cities, contributing to a sense of national crisis that could boost leading far-right presidential candidate Marine Le Pen six months before elections.

— Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of sense

Noun

The drills include amphibious landing, air and missile defense and mine sweeping, as well as intelligence gathering, logistics and resupply and casualty evacuation on several remote islands, including Tanegashima.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 20 Oct. 2026
Other parts of government already contract out rocket launches, cloud storage, satellite intelligence and artificial-intelligence analysis to the tech sector.

— Sarah Scoles, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of intelligence

Noun

Up until 1950, Señorita Rio uses her expert marksmanship, fencing skills, and keen intellect to fight Axis powers across South America.

— Gaby Iori October 7, Literary Hub, 7 Oct. 2026
Tony has led at the highest levels of government, respected for his intellect, strategic vision and ability to bring people together around bold, forward-looking ideas.

— Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of intellect

Browse Nearby Words

gray market

gray matter

grayness

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Gray matter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gray%20matter. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of gray matter

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on gray matter

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

compunction

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Can' vs. 'May'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes