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
Long-term, alcohol damages the brain by shrinking white and gray matter, dulling rewards, and overactivating the stress system.
—
Sarah Bence, Verywell Health, 6 Nov. 2025
In the brain, MRI can differentiate between white matter and gray matter and can also be used to diagnose aneurysms and tumors.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 28 Oct. 2025
The researchers looked specifically at where gray matter (the body of a neuron) intersects with white matter (the long axons that project out of the cell body) — an area thought to be particularly vulnerable to head impacts.
—The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Oct. 2025
Those with less social connection were also found to have smaller gray matter volume in regions of the brain associated with thinking and learning.
—Arianna Huffington, Time, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gray matter
Sarah Bence, Verywell Health, 6 Nov. 2025
In the brain, MRI can differentiate between white matter and gray matter and can also be used to diagnose aneurysms and tumors.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 28 Oct. 2025
The researchers looked specifically at where gray matter (the body of a neuron) intersects with white matter (the long axons that project out of the cell body) — an area thought to be particularly vulnerable to head impacts.
—The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Oct. 2025
Those with less social connection were also found to have smaller gray matter volume in regions of the brain associated with thinking and learning.
—Arianna Huffington, Time, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gray matter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gray matter
Noun
-
Some of the messages of support seemed motivated by a sense of friendship, or at least celebrity-class solidarity.—
Helen Rosner,
New Yorker,
15 Mar. 2026
-
For some, the fact that she was left out makes no sense.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
14 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Roughly 400 vessels were spotted operating in the Gulf of Oman, as a massive backlog of ships waited near the chokepoint, according to a report from maritime intelligence firm Windward on Sunday.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
18 Mar. 2026
-
Esmaeil Khatib, Iran’s intelligence minister, was targeted in a strike conducted by the IDF in Tehran, Iran.—
Washington Examiner Staff,
The Washington Examiner,
18 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
How could all their passion and intellect be allowed to go to waste?—
Moira Donegan,
New Yorker,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Focusing on Young’s addiction feels reductive, especially when her catalog is filled with humor and intellect and skill.—
Julyssa Lopez,
Rolling Stone,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The reason for this reluctance goes back more than a quarter of a century — to a time when some of the current cabinet were still at school.—
Ian King,
CNBC,
18 Mar. 2026
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According to the county, the reason for the holdup is that the Coast Guard never installed a septic system.—
John Ramos,
CBS News,
18 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gray matter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gray%20matter. Accessed 19 Mar. 2026.
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