Synonyms of intelligence

intelligence

noun

in-ˈte-lə-jən(t)s 

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

• intellect
• sense
• reason
• intellectuality
• talent
• smarts
• brainpower
• brain(s)
• aptitude
• mentality
• wit
• gray matter
• wisdom
• insight
• brilliance
• intellectualism
• headpiece
• mind
• acumen
• perception
• astuteness
• braininess
• perspicacity
• alertness
• judgment
• discernment
• apprehension
• sagacity
• percipience
• common sense
• discriminability
• horse sense
• sapience
• mother wit
• highbrowism
• eggheadedness
• skull
• head

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• density
• idiocy
• stupidity
• dumbness
• slowness
• dullness
• imbecility
• feeblemindedness
• foolishness
• denseness
• fatuity
• dopiness
• doltishness
• senselessness
• simpleness
• half-wittedness

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

• information
• news
• info
• story
• advice(s)
• item
• tidings
• communication
• announcement
• message
• rumor
• gen
• word
• uncos
• correspondence
• reportage
• dispatch
• bulletin
• tale
• feedback
• tip
• propaganda
• 411
• disinformation
• scoop
• gossip
• tidbit
• dope
• lowdown
• tattle

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

• wit
• insight
• wisdom
• intellect
• acumen
• shrewdness
• astuteness
• canniness
• keenness
• clear-sightedness
• knowingness
• hardheadedness
• caginess
• sense
• perception
• perceptiveness
• sharpness
• perceptivity
• cunning
• sagacity
• foxiness
• discernment
• sapience
• artfulness
• subtlety
• reason
• percipience
• slyness
• sagaciousness
• deviousness
• guile
• sneakiness
• wiliness
• subtleness
• brain(s)
• craftiness
• sageness
• slickness
• gray matter
• craft
• artifice

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• naïveté
• simplicity
• ingenuousness
• innocence
• guilelessness
• artlessness
• unworldliness
• greenness
• unsophistication
• simplemindedness
• naiveness
• simpleness
• density
• stupidity
• obtuseness
• dumbness
• slowness
• foolishness
• mindlessness
• fatuity
• witlessness
• brainlessness
• dopiness
• stupidness
• vacuity
• oafishness
• doltishness
• senselessness
• half-wittedness

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of intelligence

This was a real life, post-WWII intelligence operation that relocated over 1,500 German engineers, scientists, and technicians — some confirmed to have been Nazis — in order to utilize their skills in and on behalf of American soil. — Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2026

People might be skeptical about his size (listed as 6 feet), but so many quarterbacks in college and the NFL have proven their worth with skills, instincts and intelligence. — Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026

The military said in a statement the raids were carried out based on intelligence in the Balochistan districts of Mastung, Sibi, Quetta and Kalat. — ABC News, 4 Sep. 2026

The greatest competitive advantage is rarely superior intelligence. — Ricardo Bellino, Forbes.com, 4 Sep. 2026