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intellect

noun

ˈin-tə-ˌlekt How to pronounce intellect (audio)
Definition of intellectnext
1
as in genius
a very smart person one of the finest intellects of our time

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in intelligence
the ability to learn and understand or to deal with problems a child of great intellect as well as artistic talent

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 intellect The presentation was designed to work on the emotions as well as the intellect. — Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2026 Imagine instead bringing some charismatic intellect to the scrap. — Brian Hamilton, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026 Children’s imaginations and intellect should be nurtured rather than broken. — Andrew Silow-Carroll, Sun Sentinel, 31 Aug. 2026 Her strategy was to answer every question like a White man of modest intellect. — Wilbert L. Cooper, Longreads, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for intellect
Recent Examples of Synonyms for intellect
  1. genius
  2. intelligence
  3. wizard
  4. sense
  5. brain
  6. reason
  7. thinker
Noun
  • No, the Unabomber, a onetime math genius and professor named Ted Kaczynski, was basically a hermit nerd in a Montana cabin who mailed bombs to scientists, engineers, professors, and other elites.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Their attention to detail in the studio when arranging each member’s parts was like witnessing true geniuses at work.
    — Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of genius
Noun
  • War Secretary Pete Hegseth is mobilizing the Pentagon’s cybersecurity and intelligence resources to protect against foreign interference in the 2026 midterm elections.
    — Molly Parks, The Washington Examiner, 29 Sep. 2026
  • The State Department’s annual declassified intelligence report has repeatedly concluded that Russia and North Korea have offensive biological weapons programs, while raising concerns about China and Iran.
    — Ashish K. Jha, STAT, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of intelligence
Noun
  • For the seventh year, there will be costumes, quests and magic for every wizard, witch and muggle.
    — Janet Kusterer, Baltimore Sun, 23 Sep. 2026
  • Atari wore elephant-print pants and a purple wizard’s cloak, and kept handy a face mask emblazoned with the words what if love wins?
    — J. B. MacKinnon, Harpers Magazine, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of wizard
Noun
  • Iran makes another push before heading home In a sign of Tehran’s apparent sense of urgency, Pezeshkian hosted the prime minister of Qatar, the mediator in the indirect talks, early Friday before much of New York rolled out of bed.
    — Cara Anna, Los Angeles Times, 26 Sep. 2026
  • In a sign of Tehran’s apparent sense of urgency, Pezeshkian hosted the prime minister of Qatar, the mediator in the indirect talks, early Friday before much of New York rolled out of bed.
    — Cara Anna, Fortune, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of sense
Noun
  • The new study by researchers from Hebrew University of Jerusalem revealed that the striatum is a brain region involved in moment-to-moment action selection.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 28 Sep. 2026
  • In 2022, Lisa completed her bulimic and alcoholic self-destruction by means of a brain bleed.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of brain
Noun
  • And if anyone knows of any reason this puzzle should not be solved … well, give it a go, anyway.
    — Sam Corbin, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Still, understanding your own reason for saying yes or no can make the decision much easier.
    — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of reason
Noun
  • One of these thinkers was Bartolomeo Balbi, who translated Bushido and other Japanese books.
    — Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 22 Sep. 2026
  • From the great artists and thinkers who shaped civilization to the artisans and industrial districts that continue to define excellence today, Italy has consistently transformed creativity and expertise into enduring value.
    — Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of thinker

Browse Nearby Words

integrity
intellect
intellection
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Cite this Entry

“Intellect.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/intellect. Accessed 29 Sep. 2026.

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