as in intelligence
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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Recent Examples of smarts
Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 19 Mar. 2026
Swan is an engaging frontwoman as well as having the requisite smarts.
—Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 18 Mar. 2026
Luckily, the boy's sophisticated spaceship buddy Max also has the time travel smarts to take him home again.
—Richard Edwards, Space.com, 17 Mar. 2026
His game is all about his smarts.
—Scott Wheeler, New York Times, 16 Mar. 2026
Two of the top authors in science fiction will bring their book smarts to San Antonio.
—René Guzman, San Antonio Express-News, 4 Mar. 2026
Spencer’s sharpshooting, smarts and toughness have been welcome in Memphis, which has several good young players, and Spencer figures to be part of the fold for years to come.
—Kels Dayton, Hartford Courant, 2 Mar. 2026
Apps for patients and facilities The company has poured its data management wizardry and AI smarts into apps for patients and clinicians.
—IEEE Spectrum, 26 Feb. 2026
That segment was a combination of being in the right place at the right time, luck, smarts, and most of it was shot on my iPhone.
—Sarah Hepola, Dallas Morning News, 23 Feb. 2026
James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 14 Nov. 2025
Noun
But to be a successful Michigan State point guard – and gain entry to the pantheon of names Izzo rattled off – requires more than just basketball smarts.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 19 Mar. 2026
Swan is an engaging frontwoman as well as having the requisite smarts.
—Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 18 Mar. 2026
Luckily, the boy's sophisticated spaceship buddy Max also has the time travel smarts to take him home again.
—Richard Edwards, Space.com, 17 Mar. 2026
His game is all about his smarts.
—Scott Wheeler, New York Times, 16 Mar. 2026
Two of the top authors in science fiction will bring their book smarts to San Antonio.
—René Guzman, San Antonio Express-News, 4 Mar. 2026
Spencer’s sharpshooting, smarts and toughness have been welcome in Memphis, which has several good young players, and Spencer figures to be part of the fold for years to come.
—Kels Dayton, Hartford Courant, 2 Mar. 2026
Apps for patients and facilities The company has poured its data management wizardry and AI smarts into apps for patients and clinicians.
—IEEE Spectrum, 26 Feb. 2026
That segment was a combination of being in the right place at the right time, luck, smarts, and most of it was shot on my iPhone.
—Sarah Hepola, Dallas Morning News, 23 Feb. 2026
Verb
It’s been 10 years since Fantastic Four flopped, but its box-office failure still smarts for star Miles Teller.
—James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 14 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smarts
Noun
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At their best, then, prediction markets aggregate collective intelligence to weigh the likelihood of future events.—
Parker Bach,
The Conversation,
31 Mar. 2026
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The Pixel 9a brings Google's flagship intelligence to a more accessible price point without compromising on durability or features.—
Juhi Wadia,
PC Magazine,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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In a story translated from Korean, a ghost aches with loneliness after scaring everyone away; in a story translated from Arabic, a midwife is called to aid with the birth of … something.—
Erik Pedersen,
Oc Register,
20 Mar. 2026
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My heart aches for everyone who suffered alone and in silence for years.—
Hannah Fry,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
How could all their passion and intellect be allowed to go to waste?—
Moira Donegan,
New Yorker,
13 Mar. 2026
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Focusing on Young’s addiction feels reductive, especially when her catalog is filled with humor and intellect and skill.—
Julyssa Lopez,
Rolling Stone,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Critics contend the industry plunders distressed companies, leading to downsizing and cost-cutting that hurts local communities, though other research has pushed back on that reputation.—
Ben Paviour,
Sacbee.com,
28 Mar. 2026
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As if that wasn’t enough, declining kidney function also affects your body’s ability to activate vitamin D internally—and low vitamin D also hurts your calcium levels, since the vitamin mediates calcium absorption.—
Caroline Tien,
SELF,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
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A little bit of that football mindset in the sense of you just got to go 1-0 that day.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
29 Mar. 2026
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It is celebrated with a ceremonious parade that features a cavalcade of men dressed in Roman soldier costumes, evoking a sense of solemn thanksgiving and spiritual devotion.—
Condé Nast Traveler,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
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But regret pains them like a knot in their shoulders.—
Rob Picheta,
CNN Money,
6 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Smarts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smarts. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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