1
as in intelligent
having or showing a practical cleverness or judgment
a smart investment that has really paid off
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in clever
having or showing quickness of mind
a smart child who will do well in school
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in witty
given to or marked by mature intelligent humor
something one sees so rarely on TV: a smart sitcom
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in stylish
being in the latest or current fashion
boutiques specializing in smart clothes for cosmopolitan women
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in cute
making light of something usually regarded as serious or sacred
just joked and made smart comments during the ceremony
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in smartly
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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
Paris Wilson, Travel + Leisure, 30 May 2026
So a lot of really smart, creative people are kind of flooding into this area now.
—AFAR Media, 30 May 2026
Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 30 Mar. 2026
Still smarting from the Winfrey experience, Netflix approached the couple to discuss how a potential book deal would impact the release of the docuseries.
—Matt Donnelly, Variety, 17 Mar. 2026
Shayna Goldman, New York Times, 14 May 2026
In it, after an injury ends his NBA dreams, Myron Bolitar reinvents himself as a sports agent — using charm, smarts, and a ruthless partner to navigate the high-stakes and dirty world of sports, where saving his clients often means risking himself.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 13 May 2026
Thomas Hindle, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Apr. 2022
No smart-shaming allowed here.
—Neil Senturia, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Mar. 2022
See All Example Sentences for smart
Adjective
There are packs with smart compartments that make organization effortless, weather‑resistant builds that withstand unpredictable conditions, and lightweight designs that won’t slow you down on steep switchbacks.
—Paris Wilson, Travel + Leisure, 30 May 2026
So a lot of really smart, creative people are kind of flooding into this area now.
—AFAR Media, 30 May 2026
Verb
With the Boston Celtics in town, undoubtedly still smarting from the beatdown the Charlotte Hornets put on them earlier this month, the stage was set for another meaningful game in uptown.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 30 Mar. 2026
Still smarting from the Winfrey experience, Netflix approached the couple to discuss how a potential book deal would impact the release of the docuseries.
—Matt Donnelly, Variety, 17 Mar. 2026
Noun
With those smarts, there’s just a hard-working player who will outright create his own points to pounce at.
—Shayna Goldman, New York Times, 14 May 2026
In it, after an injury ends his NBA dreams, Myron Bolitar reinvents himself as a sports agent — using charm, smarts, and a ruthless partner to navigate the high-stakes and dirty world of sports, where saving his clients often means risking himself.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 13 May 2026
Adverb
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
No smart-shaming allowed here.
—Neil Senturia, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Mar. 2022
See All Example Sentences for smart
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smart
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
-
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
-
There’s also good dialogue—witty and world-building, instead of merely expository.—
Ian Mackenzie,
Literary Hub,
27 May 2026
-
Pressure is directed by Hotel Mumbai’s Anthony Maras, and as adapted with David Haig from the latter’s stage play, it’s structured as a sharp ticking-clock thriller while surprisingly light on its feet with witty dialogue.—
David Canfield,
HollywoodReporter,
26 May 2026
Adjective
-
Michter’s has spent years proving that rye can also be elegant, balanced, and surprisingly approachable, and its latest 10 Year Rye release continues that mission.—
Emily Price,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2026
-
In Palm Beach, Florida, Jelly Roll performs at his Little ASS Shed Tour, while in Los Angeles, Kim Kardashian and Kris Jenner look elegant as ever in black and white outfits.—
People Staff,
PEOPLE,
30 May 2026
Adjective
-
Round it out with a stylish Béis belt bag to keep airport essentials close at hand, leaving you no excuse to hold up security, knowing the coveted carry is just under $30.—
Julia Morlino,
Travel + Leisure,
29 May 2026
-
Zaya Wade is one stylish teenager!—
Alexandra Schonfeld,
PEOPLE,
29 May 2026
Adjective
-
Right now, the comfy-cute cute walking shoes are on sale from just $55.—
Ruby McAuliffe,
InStyle,
30 May 2026
-
My favorites include breezy linen co-ords, casual-but-cute loungewear sets, and elevated athleisure styles that work for basically everything — starting at $21.—
Jill Layton,
PEOPLE,
30 May 2026
Adjective
-
As robots grow more capable and AI more sophisticated, a growing chorus of researchers contends that machines can go further, do more, and take on greater risk – all at a fraction of the cost of keeping a human alive in orbit.—
Omar Kardoudi
May 29,
New Atlas,
29 May 2026
-
Mythos, the existence of which was first reported by Fortune in March, is notable for its coding and cyber capabilities, including the ability to find vulnerabilities in existing software and chain these vulnerabilities together to execute sophisticated cyber attacks.—
Beatrice Nolan,
Fortune,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
And even before he got hurt, Nichushkin did nothing of note.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
27 May 2026
-
Live music and front-row ocean views don't hurt either.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
26 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Smart.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smart. Accessed 31 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
