1
as in smart
having or showing a practical cleverness or judgment
her sharp-witted questions always cut right to the core of the issue
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in intelligent
having or showing quickness of mind
a TV game show that allows sharp-witted contestants to show their stuff
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 sharp-witted
Forced into an uneasy alliance with a sharp-witted poacher living on the margins of society (Kellyman), the two women fight back, turning their powerlessness into strength through violence, wit, and defiance.
—
Zac Ntim, Deadline, 27 Apr. 2026
Curtis is set to step into the role of Jessica Fletcher, the sharp-witted mystery writer and amateur detective famously portrayed by Angela Lansbury in the original television series.
—Staff Author, PEOPLE, 24 Apr. 2026
They’ll be joined by Downton Abbey‘s Julian Ovenden as the suave, sophisticated Dexter Haven, Carly Mercedes Dyer (Anything Goes) as the sharp-witted Liz, Nigel Lindsay (Mobland) as Uncle Willie, and Malcolm Sinclair (Pie in the Sky) as Seth Lord.
—Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 8 Apr. 2026
Before Uncle Sam, other figures represented the young country, including Yankee Doodle, once a British insult aimed at American colonials, and Brother Jonathan, a sharp-witted embodiment of American common sense.
—Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 10 Mar. 2026
Abbington plays Eve, a sharp-witted, slightly off-kilter actress whose obsession with the case pulls her into the investigative orbit and complicates the group dynamic.
—Emiliano De Pablos, Variety, 16 Feb. 2026
More than 40 years after Paula Poundstone first appeared on late-night, the comedian is still performing her sharp-witted brand of comedy.
—Jennifer Day, Chicago Tribune, 22 Jan. 2026
In the film, Tyler, the Creator — credited under his full name, Tyler Okonma — plays Wally, a sharp-witted taxi driver who, like Chalamet’s Marty Mauser, is a ping-pong obsessive.
—Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 29 Dec. 2025
And Sister Bernadette, 88, regularly shares sharp-witted observations about matters both sacred and secular over a ritual cup of coffee.
—Esme Nicholson, NPR, 1 Dec. 2025
Zac Ntim, Deadline, 27 Apr. 2026
Curtis is set to step into the role of Jessica Fletcher, the sharp-witted mystery writer and amateur detective famously portrayed by Angela Lansbury in the original television series.
—Staff Author, PEOPLE, 24 Apr. 2026
They’ll be joined by Downton Abbey‘s Julian Ovenden as the suave, sophisticated Dexter Haven, Carly Mercedes Dyer (Anything Goes) as the sharp-witted Liz, Nigel Lindsay (Mobland) as Uncle Willie, and Malcolm Sinclair (Pie in the Sky) as Seth Lord.
—Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 8 Apr. 2026
Before Uncle Sam, other figures represented the young country, including Yankee Doodle, once a British insult aimed at American colonials, and Brother Jonathan, a sharp-witted embodiment of American common sense.
—Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 10 Mar. 2026
Abbington plays Eve, a sharp-witted, slightly off-kilter actress whose obsession with the case pulls her into the investigative orbit and complicates the group dynamic.
—Emiliano De Pablos, Variety, 16 Feb. 2026
More than 40 years after Paula Poundstone first appeared on late-night, the comedian is still performing her sharp-witted brand of comedy.
—Jennifer Day, Chicago Tribune, 22 Jan. 2026
In the film, Tyler, the Creator — credited under his full name, Tyler Okonma — plays Wally, a sharp-witted taxi driver who, like Chalamet’s Marty Mauser, is a ping-pong obsessive.
—Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 29 Dec. 2025
And Sister Bernadette, 88, regularly shares sharp-witted observations about matters both sacred and secular over a ritual cup of coffee.
—Esme Nicholson, NPR, 1 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sharp-witted
Adjective
-
Lane pointed to Adams State’s direct admissions program as a smart intervention that attracts students who might have otherwise overlooked college.—
Elizabeth Hernandez,
Denver Post,
31 May 2026
-
The next generation of commerce may not belong solely to the smartest AI models, but to the companies who are most capable of balancing complexity on the business side, while delivering trust and simplicity on the consumer side.—
Jacques Ledbetter,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2026
Adjective
-
According to the company, the system has become a key part of its broader push to expand intelligent driving capabilities across its vehicle lineup, CarNewsChina reported.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
24 May 2026
-
Maybe intelligent aliens do not want to communicate with us, and conceal their existence.—
Dani Di Placido,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2026
Adjective
-
While the criticism is well deserved, to its credit, the report does make a handful of astute observations that Democrats would be wise not to dismiss.—
Douglas Schoen,
Oc Register,
28 May 2026
-
The Cult Content Boom The three-part series, however, is grounded with an astute cast, headed by former cult member Hoyt Richards, a 1980s and ’90s supermodel, the face of global campaigns for Versace, Valentino, Cartier and Ralph Lauren.—
R. Daniel Foster,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
Adjective
-
There’s a fine blue line between stupid and clever.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
31 May 2026
-
Auoon Clip-On Pot Strainer This clever clip-on pot strainer takes up less space in the cabinet and the dishwasher, and makes quick work of straining pasta water, washing fruit and vegetables, and more.—
Maggie Horton,
PEOPLE,
30 May 2026
Adjective
-
Prove his nous in the transfer market Based on Nuno’s first window, Axel Disasi, 28, the loanee from Chelsea and Taty Castellanos, 27, the €29m arrival from Lazio, were shrewd signings.—
Roshane Thomas,
New York Times,
28 May 2026
-
The team's 11 straight playoff wins follow years of deliberate, shrewd team-building that strayed from the high-risk, instant gratification personnel moves that marked much of the Dolan era.—
Alex Sherman,
CNBC,
28 May 2026
Adjective
-
Amenities and experiences The 10th floor spa remains one of the hotel’s biggest assets, not least because the panoramic views across Hyde Park make even a quick sauna session feel cinematic.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
27 May 2026
-
Over the past decade, the club have been forced to activate several economic ‘levers’ to ensure their stability — such as selling stakes in the club’s future businesses to private equity companies to raise quick cash.—
Jacob Whitehead,
New York Times,
27 May 2026
Adjective
-
The Brazilian defender had been brilliant all match but sends his penalty blazing over the bar.—
Ben Church,
CNN Money,
30 May 2026
-
Opposition player of the season Federico Valverde was brilliant when City were beaten at the Santiago Bernabeu in the Champions League last 16.—
Sam Lee,
New York Times,
29 May 2026
Adjective
-
Kendall George, an outfield prospect for the Los Angeles Dodgers and one of the fastest players in the minor leagues, injured his left knee on Monday night trying to avoid the bat dog for the Double-A Tulsa Drillers, league sources told The Athletic.—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
27 May 2026
-
According to the research team, the method can make these simulations run up to 50 times faster while preserving critical physical detail.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
26 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sharp-witted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sharp-witted. Accessed 1 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
