INTELLECT Synonyms: 125 Similar and Opposite Words

intellect

noun

ˈin-tə-ˌlekt

Definition of intellect

as in genius

a very smart person one of the finest intellects of our time

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Temilola Adeoye, a comedian, writer and content creator in New York City,attributes this behavior to shortcomings in intellect and literacy — or to a desire to have one’s intellect validated by others. — Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 16 July 2026 Toni Collette is phenomenal as Christie’s beloved detective, capturing both her sharp intellect and her understanding of human nature. — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 15 July 2026 But he’s also never been daunted by her intellect or her artistry. — Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 6 July 2026 Recognizing her extraordinary intellect, the Wheatley family educated her, and by age 20 her poetry had earned publication in London. — Robin Follman, Oc Register, 4 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for intellect

Recent Examples of Synonyms for intellect

Noun

Parton wrote it as a forgiving farewell to Porter Wagoner, the duet partner who had helped launch her career but also tried to restrict her when her genius took her beyond their partnership.

— Ann Powers, NPR, 26 Aug. 2026
Curry plays billionaire Roger Corwin, head of a communications satellite company that just happens to be a rival to the Angels’ client, software genius Eric Knox (Sam Rockwell, in another standout performance).

— ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of genius

Noun

An Israeli military source told CNN the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) had gathered intelligence on Turkey’s plans to deploy personnel, drones and air-defense systems at the site.

— Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026
The dissident, Siamak Tadayon Tahmasbi, had been accused by Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence of directing terrorist plots tied to Israeli intelligence.

— Cora Engelbrecht, New Yorker, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of intelligence

Noun

And for all the Padres’ successes under private equity wizard Peter Seidler, his biggest bet went bust, the ‘23 Padres missing the playoffs despite his approving MLB’s third-highest payroll.

— Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026
He a notoriously vain, boastful and fame-obsessed wizard well versed in Memory Charms who is recruited by Dumbledore as Professor of Defence Against the Dark Arts at Hogwarts.

— Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of wizard

Noun

In its evaluation, the committee cited the film’s polished craftsmanship and the clarity of its directorial vision, pointing to the tone and mise-en-scène that sustain a sense of pressure throughout the story.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 25 Aug. 2026
To channel this sense of joyful minimalism, pair a bold color with playful accents, rich textures, and meaningful décor that brings personality to the space without overwhelming it.

— Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of sense

Noun

The quality of your diet is more important than fasting; eating nutrient-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats supports brain health.

— Teresa Maalouf, Verywell Health, 30 Aug. 2026
In other words, Sanctuary, which made both a body and a brain, is now learning that its brain – with some hands – is a very effective industrial worker.

— John Koetsier, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of brain

Noun

Salesforce and other software stocks have perked up over the past month, as sentiment around the group improved for a couple of reasons, including a Reuters report on take-private talks involving HR software provider Workday .

— Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
At face value, young men exercising should not be reason to sound the alarms, and yet there is something treacherous about men in their formative years placing physical beauty as the ultimate expression of self-actualization.

— José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of reason

Noun

This coexistence of one god and many gods may initially appear contradictory, but a clearer picture emerges by tracing the history of how Hindu texts, traditions, and thinkers—and some Western scholars—have answered this question.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026
But alongside serious thinkers such as Rankine, Ta-Nehisi Coates, and Saidiya Hartman, less rigorous writers and ideas were also elevated.

— Charles Finch, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of thinker

Browse Nearby Words

integrity

intellect

intellection

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Intellect.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/intellect. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of intellect

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

conscientious

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

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

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Popular in Wordplay

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

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

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes