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

Relevance

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 event, now in its 27th year and held at the Kennedy Center, toasted Maher’s intellect, his broad range of interests, interviewing finesse and loyalty to his audience among other features. — Paul Harris, Variety, 29 June 2026 But to imply that the presence of racists in works of fiction makes those works of fiction racist is to short-circuit the intellect and the imagination at one fell swoop. — Spin Team, SPIN, 22 June 2026 Odysseus is a warrior with wit and intellect, a con man and fabulist who constantly reinvents himself. — David Denby, New Yorker, 21 June 2026 His immediate presence was one of sharp intellect, efficiency and modesty. — Chicago Tribune, 17 June 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
  • For the 20th season, a callback to her first-ever tagline and also her greatest catchphrase is pretty genius.
    — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 17 July 2026
  • This is a lovely book about opera, music, 19th-century Vienna, and the psychology of genius.
    — Diana Arterian, Literary Hub, 16 July 2026
Definition of genius
Noun
  • Unlike the direct style under Glasner, Sage’s way of playing may allow for more space to make the most of Pino’s intelligence, interplay and technical and passing ability.
    — Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 21 July 2026
  • But, citing Iraqi intelligence estimates, Mohammed said the number of ISIS fighters in neighboring Syria has increased from around 2,000 to as many as 10,000 since the collapse of Bashar Assad's government in 2024.
    — Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 20 July 2026
Definition of intelligence
Noun
  • One of the best psych-folk albums of 2026 was made by a beekeeper and a part-time wizard.
    — Simon Vozick-Levinson, Rolling Stone, 17 July 2026
  • He was nominated for both an Emmy and a second Golden Globe for playing the titular Arthurian wizard in the 1998 miniseries Merlin.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 15 July 2026
Definition of wizard
Noun
  • In that sense, the conditions included in the Garnacho deal must have a realistic possibility of not occurring in order for the deal to be recorded, at least initially, as a loan.
    — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 22 July 2026
  • With real couples, the sense of love and familiarity was already present.
    — Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 22 July 2026
Definition of sense
Noun
  • In one example, a robotic arm was able to grasp objects such as a cup or an apple based solely on the user’s brain signals.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 19 July 2026
  • The diseases that cause dementia can impair brain circuits involved in impulse control and threat perception, raising the risk of aggressive behavior.
    — Jordan Rau, NPR, 19 July 2026
Definition of brain
Noun
  • The Ukrainian presidency gave no reason for the reshuffle, in which Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko also lost her job.
    — Tim Lister, CNN Money, 16 July 2026
  • Scientists not involved in the study praised it but also offered some reasons to be cautious.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 July 2026
Definition of reason
Noun
  • There was more to Dean’s philosophy, including a nod to a famous Black feminist thinker.
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 17 July 2026
  • Classical thinkers used it to describe the capacity to feel a powerful impulse and choose not to act on it.
    — Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026
Definition of thinker

Browse Nearby Words

integrity
intellect
intellection
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Intellect.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/intellect. Accessed 22 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on intellect

Nglish: Translation of intellect for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of stalwart

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

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

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

Why do we say 'fly off the handle'?
See More

Popular

See More

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

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
thumbnail graphic with text word of the day quiz
Weekly "Word of the Day" Quiz See how well you know each Word of the Day for Ju...
See All