smart 1 of 4

adjective

ˈsmärt How to pronounce smart (audio)
Definition of smartnext
1
as in intelligent
having or showing a practical cleverness or judgment a smart investment that has really paid off

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2
as in clever
having or showing quickness of mind a smart child who will do well in school

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3
as in witty
given to or marked by mature intelligent humor something one sees so rarely on TV: a smart sitcom

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4
as in elegant
being strikingly neat and trim in style or appearance dressed in their smart new uniforms, the cadets proudly paraded around the grounds of the military school

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5
as in stylish
being in the latest or current fashion boutiques specializing in smart clothes for cosmopolitan women

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6
as in cute
making light of something usually regarded as serious or sacred just joked and made smart comments during the ceremony

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7
as in sophisticated
having a wide and refined knowledge of the world especially from personal experience a novelist who got much of the material for his works by hanging out with the smart set

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smart

2 of 4

verb

as in to hurt
to feel or cause physical pain the injection only smarted for a moment

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smart

3 of 4

noun

1
as in tingle
a sharp unpleasant sensation usually felt in some specific part of the body the toddler was whining over the smart from the cut

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2
as in sense
smarts plural the ability to learn and understand or to deal with problems she had the smarts to start college at age 16, but perhaps not the emotional maturity

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smart

4 of 4

adverb

as in smartly

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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 smart
Adjective
Top of the list is Siri AI, a smarter version of the personal assistant, which now comes with its own Siri app. — David Phelan, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026 The man who is never the smartest or hardest working person in the room has brought to Connecticut a team of combatants who are devoted to winning by laying waste to anyone, especially women, who gets in the way. — Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 11 July 2026
Verb
This happens every single day, to smart and hardworking business owners who did everything right. — Lien De Pau, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026 The French, still smarting from the Treaty of Paris, did not. — Literary Hub, 26 May 2026
Noun
In the end, even after his shimmering wit and formidable smarts led him to a career of delightful diversions into everything from aesthetics to neurophysics to Pink Floyd, Stoppard went back to his own beginnings. — Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 8 June 2026 The midwestern ensemble Greensky Bluegrass adds modern jam smarts to old folk instrumental traditions. — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 6 June 2026
Adverb
Seats can be trimmed in a smart-looking gray wool blend, part of Volvo’s effort to eliminate leather use by 2030. — cleveland, 24 Sep. 2022 The stand has a sleek design made from thin but sturdy fiberglass, pieced together in a smart-looking Z-shape. — Thomas Hindle, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Apr. 2022 See All Example Sentences for smart
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smart
  1. intelligent
  2. clever
  3. witty
  4. elegant
  5. stylish
  6. cute
  7. sophisticated
  8. hurt
Adjective
  • Robbyant said the model’s capabilities extend beyond depth perception, enabling broader use cases in robotic vision and intelligent systems.
    — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 11 July 2026
  • Santos is an intelligent player with lots of potential, and United nabbing him from a ‘Big Six’ rival would be the sort of clever deal that can keep them agile and competitive elsewhere in the summer transfer market.
    — Carl Anka, New York Times, 10 July 2026
Definition of intelligent
Adjective
  • So began a clever tradition in which clothes dryers, rotisserie ovens, popcorn machines and other gadgets replaced the bassist’s conventional amp stacks.
    — Bob Gendron, Chicago Tribune, 9 July 2026
  • In a clever nod to the regional speciality of porcelain, it’s all served on plates by local makers Bernardaud, decorated by the artist Marco Brambilla.
    — James Rampton, TheWeek, 9 July 2026
Definition of clever
Adjective
  • Under Walsh’s witty direction, all four deliver pitch-perfect comedic performances in this frothy farce, which is full of mistaken identities, exaggerated infatuations and fussy social norms.
    — Emily McClanathan, Chicago Tribune, 9 July 2026
  • Just as bright, witty, and debauched as their namesake, this unique protagonist is on a path of self-discovery, gaining insight into not just their gender identity, but also their preternatural attraction to transgression and risk.
    — Judy Berman, Time, 8 July 2026
Definition of witty
Adjective
  • Her presence helps define the smart way Little Fish positions itself along the borderlines of casual and fancy, quirky and elegant.
    — Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
  • These elegant, loose-fitting pull-on pants sit high on the waist, creating a leg-lengthening effect.
    — Caroline Hughes, Travel + Leisure, 8 July 2026
Definition of elegant
Adjective
  • Even a 73-year-old shopper was impressed by its stylish, comfortable fit.
    — Destinee Scott, Travel + Leisure, 6 July 2026
  • The culotte-style stretchy shorts are equal parts comfortable and stylish, and the high-neck top can be worn either tucked-in or down and loose.
    — Jill Layton, PEOPLE, 4 July 2026
Definition of stylish
Adjective
  • Lovevook Travel Backpack with Packing Cubes This weekender backpack, a cute yet functional option with gold hardware, a drink sleeve with adjustable straps, and a hidden pocket for valuables.
    — Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 11 July 2026
  • Oprah and podiatrists agree that the brand’s actually-cute kicks offer ample cushioning and comfort for days spent on your feet.
    — Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 10 July 2026
Definition of cute
Adjective
  • This is an exceptionally sophisticated cognitive procedure and obviously produces a less powerful and precise strike than those performing goalkeeper-independent kicks, without a stutter.
    — Geir Jordet, New York Times, 14 July 2026
  • Since founding high-end home staging firm Interior Marketing Group (IMG) in 2007, Cheryl Eisen has helped market billions of dollars in residential properties while creating sophisticated interiors that resonate with buyers and homeowners alike.
    — AD PRO, Architectural Digest, 13 July 2026
Definition of sophisticated
Verb
  • Ganfield said she wasn’t hurt and is prioritizing Turner’s recovery.
    — Jazmin Alvarado, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
  • Patagonia’s owner, Yvonn Chouinard, has designed the various ownership models for the company so that it would be kept out of the hands of outside investors that could push it away from its environmentally focused mission or hurt its employees.
    — Charlotte Hu, Time, 8 July 2026
Definition of hurt

Phrases Containing smart

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smarm
smart
smart-aleck
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Cite this Entry

“Smart.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smart. Accessed 15 Jul. 2026.

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