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
Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 17 Apr. 2026
Jakobe Thomas’ smarts, leadership and physical presence will be missed, but UM is well-positioned at safety with Poyser, Bryce Fitzgerald, Omar Thorton Dunnigan and Dylan Day.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 14 Apr. 2026
The actor portrayed Malcolm's younger brother Dewey, known for his smarts and wit.
—Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 10 Apr. 2026
And if the driver prefers, the Defender’s own onboard smarts can pick the mode on the go.
—John Scott Lewinski, Robb Report, 8 Apr. 2026
Lane is a good-sized winger with some real puck skill, scoring touch, smarts, a level of physicality and competitiveness that puts him in the mix of everything that happens on the ice.
—Scott Wheeler, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2026
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
James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 14 Nov. 2025
Noun
Not blessed with a blazing fastball, Panos relies on placement and smarts to get batters out.
—Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 17 Apr. 2026
Jakobe Thomas’ smarts, leadership and physical presence will be missed, but UM is well-positioned at safety with Poyser, Bryce Fitzgerald, Omar Thorton Dunnigan and Dylan Day.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 14 Apr. 2026
The actor portrayed Malcolm's younger brother Dewey, known for his smarts and wit.
—Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 10 Apr. 2026
And if the driver prefers, the Defender’s own onboard smarts can pick the mode on the go.
—John Scott Lewinski, Robb Report, 8 Apr. 2026
Lane is a good-sized winger with some real puck skill, scoring touch, smarts, a level of physicality and competitiveness that puts him in the mix of everything that happens on the ice.
—Scott Wheeler, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2026
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
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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That’s true, said one former counterterrorism official with direct knowledge of the intelligence involved, but there was more to the story.—
Hannah Allam,
ProPublica,
21 Apr. 2026
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The collaboration connects the Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) company’s supply chain intelligence platform—which enables brands to map suppliers, manage sourcing data and validate claims—with Trimco’s labeling, packaging and RFID infrastructure.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Footwear News,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In other words, resilience is not about sealing the wound and pretending it no longer aches.—
Keith M. Bellizzi,
The Conversation,
13 Apr. 2026
-
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
Noun
-
The Big Bang Theory followed a group of socially awkward scientist friends navigating work, friendship and relationships, with Parsons portraying Sheldon Cooper, a brilliant but eccentric physicist known for his rigid routines, lack of social awareness and sharp intellect.—
Virginia Chamlee,
PEOPLE,
20 Apr. 2026
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As one of the nation’s most consequential legal thinkers and scholars, Heather Gerken has long directed her fierce intellect toward defending free and fair elections, a strong civic architecture, and the rule of law.—
Elizabeth Alexander,
Time,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Accountability makes everything easier, and a little friendly competition never hurts.—
Cheryl Russell,
Oc Register,
19 Apr. 2026
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Those who can't prebook face higher prices, which hurts their budgets, and may force readjustments in production and types of crops.—
George Petras,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2026
Noun
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That’s not to say the decisions were easy and lacked a sense of foreboding.—
Michael Smolens,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
-
February 19 – March 20 Small choices today create a sense of ease that lasts.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
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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
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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 27 Apr. 2026.
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