1
as in wizard
a very smart person
the 16-year-old college graduate was considered to be a genius
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in talent
a special and usually inborn ability
had a genius for remembering long strings of numbers had a genius for saying the wrong thing, no matter what the social situation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in aptitude
a habitual attraction to some activity or thing
a genius for gambling over his head
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in self
the set of qualities that makes a person, a group of people, or a thing different from others
putting the needs of the individual before those of society is alien to the genius of the Japanese people
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in manifestation
a visible representation of something abstract (as a quality)
the giant tortoise would seem to be the very genius of the unfathomable ancientness that one associates with the Galápagos Islands
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of genius
In Thomas Bernhard’s The Loser, Wertheimer, tormented by encountering a genius in the form of fellow piano student Glenn Gould, gives up his dreams of performing and moves in with his sister.
—
Christine Smallwood, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
Tommy eventually does so by applying his methodical genius to foil the Nazi plan.
—Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 23 Mar. 2026
The federal government got out of the housing business – through cuts to the Department of Housing and Urban Development – and left people’s housing needs to be met by what another Reagan official called the genius of the private market.
—John Blake, CNN Money, 22 Mar. 2026
In her documentary debut, Coppola aims to captures the genius and singular universe of the iconic American designer and her close friend.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 20 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for genius
Christine Smallwood, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
Tommy eventually does so by applying his methodical genius to foil the Nazi plan.
—Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 23 Mar. 2026
The federal government got out of the housing business – through cuts to the Department of Housing and Urban Development – and left people’s housing needs to be met by what another Reagan official called the genius of the private market.
—John Blake, CNN Money, 22 Mar. 2026
In her documentary debut, Coppola aims to captures the genius and singular universe of the iconic American designer and her close friend.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 20 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for genius
Recent Examples of Synonyms for genius
Noun
-
By another coincidence, Vai’s band on the inaugural G3 tour featured former San Diego guitar and keyboard wizard Mike Keneally, who was Vai’s replacement in Zappa’s band.—
George Varga,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Sprints coach wizard Brandon Thomas continues to train a fast fleet of runners at Rosary and Servite to remarkable results.—
Steve Fryer,
Oc Register,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Some programs have built their identity on hard coaching or amassing the most talent possible, and while Campbell isn’t soft on his players, he’s opted to create a culture of joy that’s led to TCU signing Van Lith and Miles.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 Mar. 2026
-
But fans online have panned the card for lacking top talent such as former two-division champion Jon Jones, who requested his release from the UFC immediately after being excluded from the White House show.—
Will Weissert,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Flutie played beyond his physical abilities partly because of his aptitude.—
Dan Pompei,
New York Times,
16 Mar. 2026
-
What Godoy does have a great aptitude for, however, is video games.—
Carlos Aguilar,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Like any other self-flushing litter box, this one needs to be connected to both a water source and a drain.—
Maryna Holovnova,
New Atlas,
30 Mar. 2026
-
This group isn’t going anywhere if those two don’t get back to their usual selves.—
Michael Russo,
New York Times,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Moreover, the Cuban newcomer — a former Billboard On the Radar Latin artist — is as fierce and unapologetic as ever, delivering sharp verses that are both for the haters, and serve also a strong manifestation on abundance and prosperity.—
Tere Aguilera,
Billboard,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Its early manifestations frequently surface in other clinics.—
Sarah Berg,
STAT,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
How could all their passion and intellect be allowed to go to waste?—
Moira Donegan,
New Yorker,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Focusing on Young’s addiction feels reductive, especially when her catalog is filled with humor and intellect and skill.—
Julyssa Lopez,
Rolling Stone,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Her knack for dialogue is noted by the president of the studio, who promotes her on the spot.—
Chris Murphy,
Vanity Fair,
1 Apr. 2026
-
When a piano tuner’s extraordinary hearing reveals a knack for cracking safes, his quiet New York routine gives way to a risky life of crime—just as the possibility of love suggests another future.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
During the Apollo missions, astronauts used urine collection and transfer devices, as well as plastic bags taped to the buttocks to collect feces.—
ByMary Kekatos,
ABC News,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Our bill will ban the federal government from buying and operating these devices made in countries that wish us harm.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Genius.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/genius. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
