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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of smarts
David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 28 Apr. 2026
Lily is the quickest to figure out the detective stories that George reads them every evening in the field, but otherwise smarts count for little in a quiet life of grazing and dozing.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 27 Apr. 2026
That combination of friendly social drive and smarts is exactly what viewers saw on display in the viral clip.
—Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 27 Apr. 2026
His smarts and willingness to do the dirty work are coach-pleasing qualities.
—Matt Barrows, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2026
The Broncos, a source told The Post, believe Casey has the traits and the smarts to play any position on the offensive line.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 25 Apr. 2026
Respect for the environment sits at the heart of Tella Thera’s DNA, with bioclimatic architecture, property-wide sustainability smarts and a low-waste restaurant where dishes brim with island produce.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
Pedro, who went by Pete, had the smarts and discipline to manage a sprawling bi-national business.
—Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026
Not blessed with a blazing fastball, Panos relies on placement and smarts to get batters out.
—Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 17 Apr. 2026
James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 14 Nov. 2025
Noun
The director again shows his action smarts by creating a brief lull — albeit while leaning hard on one of the more sudsy passages of composer Fernando Velázquez’s generic score — before the next shuddering impact sends the number of casualties skyrocketing.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 28 Apr. 2026
Lily is the quickest to figure out the detective stories that George reads them every evening in the field, but otherwise smarts count for little in a quiet life of grazing and dozing.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 27 Apr. 2026
That combination of friendly social drive and smarts is exactly what viewers saw on display in the viral clip.
—Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 27 Apr. 2026
His smarts and willingness to do the dirty work are coach-pleasing qualities.
—Matt Barrows, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2026
The Broncos, a source told The Post, believe Casey has the traits and the smarts to play any position on the offensive line.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 25 Apr. 2026
Respect for the environment sits at the heart of Tella Thera’s DNA, with bioclimatic architecture, property-wide sustainability smarts and a low-waste restaurant where dishes brim with island produce.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
Pedro, who went by Pete, had the smarts and discipline to manage a sprawling bi-national business.
—Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026
Not blessed with a blazing fastball, Panos relies on placement and smarts to get batters out.
—Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 17 Apr. 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
-
Charles is expected to talk about the defense, intelligence and security ties the countries have shared for decades.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Belarus’ presidential press service said the negotiations had involved intelligence services from seven countries.—
Claudia Ciobanu,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the symptoms of Legionnaires' disease are similar to those of other types of pneumonia, including cough, fever, headache, muscle aches, and shortness of breath.—
Carly Sauvageau,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Babesiosis, transmitted by blacklegged ticks, can cause flu-like symptoms — fever, chills, fatigue and muscle aches — and can be severe or fatal in older adults or those with weakened immune systems, according to scientists.—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Thomas says that your sector of communications, intellect and ideas will be activated now.—
Tabitha Parent,
PEOPLE,
30 Apr. 2026
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Blankfein isn’t the only business leader who believes that working hard is more powerful than natural intellect or pricey diplomas.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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And that’s why this one hurts differently.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
4 May 2026
-
That ultimately hurts workers, small businesses, and the broader economy.—
Steve Hilton,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 May 2026
Noun
-
Keep the conversation moving, and let flexibility strengthen your position and perspective while maintaining your sense of balance and fairness.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
3 May 2026
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While the work’s English title might indicate a sense of amusement or distraction, the Chinese title is an idiom that refers to being caught in a dilemma, like a boat that has left one shore but has not yet reached the other.—
Pauline J. Yao,
Artforum,
2 May 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 7 May. 2026.
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