Definition of quick-wittednext
as in intelligent
having or showing quickness of mind the quick-witted child easily figured out the trick to making the toy work

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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How is the word quick-witted distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of quick-witted are alert, clever, and intelligent. While all these words mean "mentally keen or quick," quick-witted implies promptness in finding answers in debate or in devising expedients in moments of danger or challenge.

no match for his quick-witted opponent

When is alert a more appropriate choice than quick-witted?

Although the words alert and quick-witted have much in common, alert stresses quickness in perceiving and understanding.

alert to new technology

When is it sensible to use clever instead of quick-witted?

While the synonyms clever and quick-witted are close in meaning, clever implies native ability or aptness and sometimes suggests a lack of more substantial qualities.

clever with words

Where would intelligent be a reasonable alternative to quick-witted?

The synonyms intelligent and quick-witted are sometimes interchangeable, but intelligent stresses success in coping with new situations and solving problems.

an intelligent person could assemble it fast

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 quick-witted Much like your mercurial nature, the Siamese is famously vocal, clever and always curious, mirroring your quick-witted and restless nature. Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 28 Nov. 2025 Yazid’s compendious memory included a remarkable store of cricket scores and batting averages and matches and catches and stumpings, all the minutiae that a quick-witted boy poring over the newspaper in a tea stall between customers might graze upon. Daniyal Mueenuddin, New Yorker, 23 Nov. 2025 The first season, set in London, follows Helen Webb (Knightley), a quick-witted, down-to-earth, dedicated wife and mother — and professional spy. Peter White, Deadline, 18 Nov. 2025 This powerhouse of a cast makes sure the audience is kept laughing with their quick-witted banter and clever physical comedy. Rebecca Angel Baer, Southern Living, 11 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for quick-witted
Recent Examples of Synonyms for quick-witted
Adjective
  • Its intelligent brake and reverse (iBR) system adds specific control when slowing down or maneuvering around objects or when docking, along with different ride modes that let the rider chill (or sharpen) the throttle response depending on conditions.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 14 Feb. 2026
  • On Friday, the company plans to shutter its GPT-4o model — widely considered the most emotionally intelligent on the market, and often used for individuals’ companions.
    Rachyl Jones, semafor.com, 13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Russia has been overtly aggressive while China is more clever and subtle, using tactics such as intellectual property theft and economic penetration of less developed countries.
    Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
  • From storage helpers to laundry and cleaning aids, try one of these clever uses for old pillowcases.
    Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 14 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • And my initial job and focus was working for the chief digital officer at the time who was a really smart guy.
    Ben Smith, semafor.com, 14 Feb. 2026
  • The long-standing challenge of smart fibers For years, researchers have tried to make smart fibers—materials that change shape when exposed to electricity, light, heat, or changes in acidity.
    Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 14 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • First, in-house manufacturing meant that its product development process took around 18 months, while competitors using third-party manufacturers could move at a much quicker pace.
    Kathryn Hopkins, Footwear News, 17 Feb. 2026
  • In fact, one of the couples who were engaged had their pod love story mostly shown as a quick montage of conversations before they got engaged.
    Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Medved wants to play with a faster tempo, but given his lack of personnel, his team is one of the slowest in the Big Ten.
    Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 18 Feb. 2026
  • Ukraine has in the past five days made its fastest territorial gains since 2023, according to AFP; analysts said disruption to Starlink access was causing command-and-control problems for Russian forces, while Moscow has seen casualties surge in recent weeks.
    Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Goldsberry will play Renee, a brilliant opposing attorney who has a professional and romantic history with Michael, and Stiller as Christy, a young assistant at the new start-up law firm in Cupertino that’s at the heart of the story.
    Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 13 Feb. 2026
  • Wrestling with heartbreak and critics who didn’t understand him, and trying to find his place in a post-Sixties Watergate America, culminated in eight brilliant songs that hardcore Young fans love to endlessly talk about — more than Young sure ever did.
    Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, 13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • The crab is mixed with extra-sharp Cheddar for boldness and cream cheese and Havarti for creaminess.
    Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 15 Feb. 2026
  • Using scissors, or knives that aren’t sharp may crush the vascular tissue and prevent the flowers from taking up water, leading to faster decline.
    Heather Zidack, Hartford Courant, 15 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Quick-witted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/quick-witted. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.

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