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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of smarts
Aaron Heisen, Daily News, 4 Apr. 2026
And similar to Copilot, Salesforce is partnering with Anthropic to provide the AI smarts inside the new Slackbot.
—Alexei Oreskovic, Fortune, 1 Apr. 2026
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
James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 14 Nov. 2025
Noun
His smarts came before his skills, which led to a similar development process at Harvard-Westlake as at UCLA.
—Aaron Heisen, Daily News, 4 Apr. 2026
And similar to Copilot, Salesforce is partnering with Anthropic to provide the AI smarts inside the new Slackbot.
—Alexei Oreskovic, Fortune, 1 Apr. 2026
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
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
-
In theory, that’s what Slot wants his side to do, but in practice this season, due to personnel, fitness and at times structure, the Liverpool high press has lacked the intensity, aggression and intelligence of previous years.—
Andy Jones,
New York Times,
7 Apr. 2026
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By Saturday, the Pentagon had surged more than 150 aircraft to join the effort to rescue the weapons system officer, Dude 44B, including 64 fighter jets, four bombers, 48 refuelers, 13 rescue planes and 26 intelligence and jamming aircraft, sources told CBS News.—
Lucia I Suarez Sang,
CBS News,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Long week of being sick, out of it, fatigue, body aches, not being able to move [or get] out of bed.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Symptoms generally appear within one or two weeks of infection, and can include fever, headache, rash and body aches.—
City News Service,
Daily News,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Regardless of their work ethic, intellect and creativity, capital has always exploited them but never been willing to partner with them.—
Jacob Walthour,
New York Daily News,
2 Apr. 2026
-
How could all their passion and intellect be allowed to go to waste?—
Moira Donegan,
New Yorker,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Running hurts your knees and your hips, and even tennis causes shoulder problems.—
Kelly McGreal,
FOXNews.com,
3 Apr. 2026
-
This action hurts library patrons, not just the librarians.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
PEOPLE,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The story is something of a palimpsest, with Romvari’s own perspective intertwining with the character’s and conveying a sense of being both inside and outside the action.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
12 Apr. 2026
-
What’s left is a false sense of urgency that will lead to a budget finalized mostly in the dark, with too many decisions made by staffers and lobbyists.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
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
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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 13 Apr. 2026.
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