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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of sharp-witted
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
This Netflix holiday flick follows Sophia (Olivia Holt), a sharp-witted retail clerk juggling two jobs to care for her sick mother, and Nick (Connor Swindells), a down-on-his-luck former security consultant desperate to support his daughter after a divorce.
—Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 29 Nov. 2025
On Christmas Eve, Cliff (Strassner), a down-on-his luck comedian who can’t catch a break, chips a tooth, and suddenly finds himself in the late-night care of Didi (Liz Larsen), a sharp-witted, no-nonsense dentist.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 5 Sep. 2025
After Diablo Cody’s Oscar win for Best Original Screenplay for Juno (2007), the screenwriter followed up the breakout hit with this sharp-witted, gory take on female rage and power dynamics.
—Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 6 Aug. 2025
Known primarily for his genre-defining work in music, Rocky’s latest turn as Yung Felon — a sharp-witted, ambitious rap artist — places him directly alongside screen legend Denzel Washington in some of the film’s most talked-about scenes.
—Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 3 Sep. 2019
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
This Netflix holiday flick follows Sophia (Olivia Holt), a sharp-witted retail clerk juggling two jobs to care for her sick mother, and Nick (Connor Swindells), a down-on-his-luck former security consultant desperate to support his daughter after a divorce.
—Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 29 Nov. 2025
On Christmas Eve, Cliff (Strassner), a down-on-his luck comedian who can’t catch a break, chips a tooth, and suddenly finds himself in the late-night care of Didi (Liz Larsen), a sharp-witted, no-nonsense dentist.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 5 Sep. 2025
After Diablo Cody’s Oscar win for Best Original Screenplay for Juno (2007), the screenwriter followed up the breakout hit with this sharp-witted, gory take on female rage and power dynamics.
—Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 6 Aug. 2025
Known primarily for his genre-defining work in music, Rocky’s latest turn as Yung Felon — a sharp-witted, ambitious rap artist — places him directly alongside screen legend Denzel Washington in some of the film’s most talked-about scenes.
—Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 3 Sep. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sharp-witted
Adjective
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The breakthrough comes from a smart molecular design that lets the same polymer behave as both rubber and plastic.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
25 Jan. 2026
-
This smart pill is not meant for every prescription.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
25 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Caterpillar’s intelligent product lineup spans core construction and earthmoving equipment, along with connected site systems.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
7 Jan. 2026
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Conversely, if these foundations can be reinforced, even partially, the intelligent age may yet fulfil its promise of progress.—
Klaus Schwab,
Time,
5 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Some therapists are opting to use AI during therapy sessions with their clients and do so in these astute ways; see my coverage at the link here.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
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More than a cat-and-mouse game between him and them, the series uses that procedural framework to imagine, in psychologically astute and electrifyingly strange ways, an entire world altered by The Beauty.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
21 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Affordability will not be solved by a sweeping law or one clever cap.—
J.D. Hayworth,
Boston Herald,
24 Jan. 2026
-
Not in your opening line or your clever hook.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Normally, a shrewd viewer can look at such a lineup and guess who the villains are going to be, since such roles typically attract strong actors.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
22 Jan. 2026
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So, cutting Robinson for cap savings without a shrewd plan could lead to eventual pitfalls.—
Mike Kaye
Updated January 21,
Charlotte Observer,
21 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Financial reality is often presented as comfortable in an Instagram post, or a quick tweet where the reality of the artist is the commodity being sold.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Jan. 2026
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However, one quick look at what companies like Boston Dynamics has achieved with robots like the rather creepy dog-like ‘Spot,’ who herds sheep in New Zealand, and the possibilities seem endless.—
Peter Lyon,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Cole Caufield served notice that Team USA made a grave mistake leaving him off the Olympic team, but Morgan Geekie’s deuce trumped the brilliant Montreal Canadiens forward’s hat trick in the Bruins’ thrilling come-from-behind 4-3 win at TD Garden on Saturday night.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
25 Jan. 2026
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What leads up to the painting’s ultimate settlement is chaos, folks running around on a lush patch of grass, brilliant trees and shimmering water lining the background.—
David John Chávez,
Mercury News,
23 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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This approach supports faster decision-making across programs.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
28 Jan. 2026
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Loose, fast, and slightly jerky steps, a sudden joy sweeping through the body like a wind.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sharp-witted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sharp-witted. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.
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