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
-
The midwife’s hand was a gender-bending invention of the Enlightenment, combining the intelligence and strength of a man’s touch with the sensitive delicacy of a woman’s.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
16 June 2026
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Her fierce intelligence helps paper over some of the screenplay’s rougher transitions, and even lends a measure of legibility to Sylvia’s sudden coldness.—
Natalia Winkelman,
Variety,
16 June 2026
Verb
-
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
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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,
19 May 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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Luna spends the day in the socially conscious sign of Aquarius, shifting the emotional tone toward intellect, perspective, eccentricity and detachment.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
5 June 2026
Verb
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My son was defending himself, and that's what hurts so bad.—
Ken Molestina,
CBS News,
11 June 2026
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That last one really hurts Rushing's case here, given the literal purpose of his slide was to take out the shortstop.—
Zach Dean OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
10 June 2026
Noun
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A little over 300 days ago, Manchester City found themselves in a state of tactical flux, preparing for a crucial Champions League tie at the Santiago Bernabeu with a sense of dread.—
Thom Harris,
New York Times,
10 Dec. 2025
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There will be plenty of other teams with interest in adding him, but the Hoosiers would make a ton of sense.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Dec. 2025
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 18 Jun. 2026.
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