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
Alexandra Oliva, The Atlantic, 12 June 2026
And so, finding a linemate who has kinda that same level of offensive hockey smarts, can think to that level, can both probably pass it and shoot it, finding a guy that’s a pair for him, that is certainly important.
—Scott Powers, New York Times, 12 June 2026
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
And a nod to president of baseball operations and general manager Alex Anthopoulos for not meddling with the lineup — and having the smarts to trade for Dubón in the first place.
—Ken Sugiura, AJC.com, 6 June 2026
The linebacker known for his smarts started all 17 games for the Chiefs last season, recording 103 tackles, including two sacks.
—Jeff Fedotin, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
White admires Zuckerberg’s smarts, competitive instincts, and ability to run a full day of meetings on time.
—Sean Gregory, Time, 26 May 2026
Rain forced the tournament to be held indoors at the Longfellow Wellesley Tennis & Health Club, which is where Vu fought for every point against Delima, who was a dangerous combination of speed, smarts, and power on the court.
—Justin Barrasso, Boston Herald, 25 May 2026
James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 14 Nov. 2025
Noun
Barry provides riveting, rewarding action without sacrificing smarts or character development.
—Alexandra Oliva, The Atlantic, 12 June 2026
And so, finding a linemate who has kinda that same level of offensive hockey smarts, can think to that level, can both probably pass it and shoot it, finding a guy that’s a pair for him, that is certainly important.
—Scott Powers, New York Times, 12 June 2026
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
And a nod to president of baseball operations and general manager Alex Anthopoulos for not meddling with the lineup — and having the smarts to trade for Dubón in the first place.
—Ken Sugiura, AJC.com, 6 June 2026
The linebacker known for his smarts started all 17 games for the Chiefs last season, recording 103 tackles, including two sacks.
—Jeff Fedotin, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
White admires Zuckerberg’s smarts, competitive instincts, and ability to run a full day of meetings on time.
—Sean Gregory, Time, 26 May 2026
Rain forced the tournament to be held indoors at the Longfellow Wellesley Tennis & Health Club, which is where Vu fought for every point against Delima, who was a dangerous combination of speed, smarts, and power on the court.
—Justin Barrasso, Boston Herald, 25 May 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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If intelligence compounds as Nadella predicts, this time there will be a real first-mover advantage that didn’t exist in the internet era.—
Liz Hoffman,
semafor.com,
16 June 2026
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Examples could include processing Earth observation data from satellites, military or intelligence data processing, scientific computing related to space missions, or specialized computing for satellites and other space assets.—
Sven Bilén,
The Conversation,
16 June 2026
Verb
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Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome causes fatigue, fever, muscle aches, abdominal problems, headaches, chills and dizziness in the early stages, and late symptoms include chest tightness, coughing, shortness of breath and lungs filling with fluid.—
Mary Whitfill Roeloffs,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
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Most people have no symptoms, but mild symptoms include fever, headache, body aches, skin rash on trunk of body and swollen lymph glands.—
Nicole Buss,
Sacbee.com,
10 June 2026
Noun
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The gulf between their two worlds is wide, and Jude straddles it with wide-ranging intellect and his characteristic impish wit, while also telling a surprisingly heartfelt story about the lengths to which a mother will go for love.—
Christopher Vourlias,
Variety,
11 June 2026
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The main aim, however, was not to improve the intellect but to live in imitation of Christ.—
Peter Wehner,
The Atlantic,
10 June 2026
Verb
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Traditional materials capable of withstanding these conditions are dense, which hurts fuel economy.—
Chris Young,
Interesting Engineering,
12 June 2026
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My son was defending himself, and that's what hurts so bad.—
Ken Molestina,
CBS News,
11 June 2026
Noun
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The restaurant, which has held its Michelin star for more than 20 years—no small feat in the finicky world of fine dining—continues to draw diners with seasonal course menus, shaped by local suppliers and produce from the estate gardens, as well as its service and sense of occasion.—
Lindsay Cohn,
Travel + Leisure,
13 June 2026
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In the case of the Kiawah Island home, that meant breaking with period convention and lining the view side with window walls, and incorporating a variety of ceiling treatments to help define living spaces (and introduce a sense of scale) within the open plan.—
Fred Albert,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2026
Verb
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This one pains me as a Roth-era Van Halen fan, but there is no denying the band found incredible radio success with new frontman Sammy Hagar in the fold.—
Austin Perry OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
6 May 2026
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His disaffection baffles his acquaintances and pains his tubercular wife (a superb Quinn Jackson), whose doctor (Lambert Tamin) has only contempt for her husband’s agonizing.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Smarts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smarts. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
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