intelligence

noun

in-ˈte-lə-jən(t)s How to pronounce intelligence (audio)
Definition of intelligencenext
1
as in intellect
the ability to learn and understand or to deal with problems high scores on this test supposedly demonstrate great intelligence

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in information
a report of recent events or facts not previously known usually received the latest intelligence about how the war was going

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in wit
exceptional discernment and judgment especially in practical matters as head of the customer service department, he has handled complaints and disputes with unfailing intelligence and good humor

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 intelligence The fingertips add another layer of intelligence through tactile sensors that detect normal force, tangential shear force, and the precise location of contact. — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 20 July 2026 As Karp suggested, companies are beginning to question whether the same vendor should simultaneously be infrastructure provider, intelligence provider and potential future competitor. — Vivian Toh, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026 There’s only a faint link between the two, reinforcing the idea that Neanderthals likely spanned an intelligence spectrum that was comparable to that of their human neighbors. — Cody Cottier, Scientific American, 20 July 2026 Once a business has rewired around intelligence, every new capability can be deployed faster and at lower marginal cost. — Nigel Vaz, Time, 20 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for intelligence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for intelligence
  1. intellect
  2. information
  3. wit
  4. sense
  5. info
  6. insight
  7. wisdom
  8. acumen
Noun
  • 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
Definition of intellect
Noun
  • In a statement released Friday, the NFL stated that an investigation concluded that Gold provided confidential information about the Cardinals’ 2026 NFL draft selections before they were publicly announced.
    — Doug Haller, New York Times, 20 July 2026
  • Fewer staff has meant all facets of the outbreak investigation have been slowed — from simple data entry to complex laboratory analysis of genetic information.
    — Blake Ellis, CNN Money, 20 July 2026
Definition of information
Noun
  • Carson has brought him here to welcome a range of conversations and guests that the show’s usual host, that paragon of midwestern affability and assuring wit, couldn’t welcome himself.
    — Joshua Jelly-Schapiro, Vanity Fair, 21 July 2026
  • The family-friendly mythological comedy follows eight ordinary mortals who must use their collective wit and courage to outsmart formidable deities, ultimately earning the legendary title of the Eight Immortals.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 20 July 2026
Definition of wit
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
  • Examples include matchup info, defensive positioning and player tendencies, which teams argued were necessities.
    — Eno Sarris, New York Times, 16 July 2026
  • And the whole family can enjoy the new Bleat & Greet experience with the ranch’s baby goats, which includes cuddle and play time with the baby animals plus info about how the goats are cared for each day.
    — Beth Luberecki, USA Today, 14 July 2026
Definition of info
Noun
  • The new glasses, similarly, can take in the world around users and provide live translation in a foreign country or nutrition insights in a grocery store — and with the new chips, this complex processing can occur locally on the device.
    — Noelle Harff, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 July 2026
  • The Star-Telegram attended a screening of the film and heard insights from writer-director Evan Miller, who is from Pampa, Texas.
    — Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 July 2026
Definition of insight
Noun
  • For years, the prevailing wisdom among retail experts was that luxury shopping would steadily migrate online.
    — John Wogan, Travel + Leisure, 22 July 2026
  • His music gives me chills, transmits cosmic waves of light, wisdom, and divine emotions.
    — Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 21 July 2026
Definition of wisdom
Noun
  • Cignetti has tapped into a distinctly Hoosier brand of team pride, which proves that his acumen is just as strong off the football field as on it.
    — Domenica Bongiovanni, IndyStar, 28 Jan. 2026
  • The guys up at Auburn rave about his intelligence, his football acumen and his work ethic.
    — Creg Stephenson | [email protected], al, 20 Jan. 2023
Definition of acumen

Browse Nearby Words

intellectuals
intelligence
intelligencer
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Intelligence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/intelligence. Accessed 25 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on intelligence

Nglish: Translation of intelligence for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about intelligence

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!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

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?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 24

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

Popular

See More

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List
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
chain-question-mark
Missing Link Quiz July 2026 Five seconds to figure out the word that fits bot...
See All