1
as in smart
having or showing quickness of mind
proud parents typically insist that their child is intelligent way beyond his or her years his intelligent response to the emergency averted a disaster
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in rational
having the ability to reason
there is some debate over whether dolphins are intelligent animals
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in discreet
having or showing good judgment and restraint especially in conduct or speech
the only intelligent response to such a tasteless joke is to quickly change the subject
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of intelligent
The brand’s goal is to be the world's leading self-adjusting sleep wellness partner, making intelligent, thoughtful health accessible to all.
—
Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 13 May 2026
Meanwhile, Mercury in Taurus is also cozying up to Jupiter in Cancer, filling the atmosphere with optimism, perspective and emotionally intelligent pow wow.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 12 May 2026
Still, like many intelligent-but-overconfident defendants with plenty of time on their hands, Muneeb wants to give it a shot.
—Nate Anderson, ArsTechnica, 12 May 2026
The future belongs to enterprises that strike this balance: humans defining priorities and holding accountability, while intelligent systems coordinate and execute with precision – enabling businesses to navigate an increasingly complex world with greater resilience, productivity, and intelligence.
—Christian Klein, Fortune, 12 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for intelligent
Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 13 May 2026
Meanwhile, Mercury in Taurus is also cozying up to Jupiter in Cancer, filling the atmosphere with optimism, perspective and emotionally intelligent pow wow.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 12 May 2026
Still, like many intelligent-but-overconfident defendants with plenty of time on their hands, Muneeb wants to give it a shot.
—Nate Anderson, ArsTechnica, 12 May 2026
The future belongs to enterprises that strike this balance: humans defining priorities and holding accountability, while intelligent systems coordinate and execute with precision – enabling businesses to navigate an increasingly complex world with greater resilience, productivity, and intelligence.
—Christian Klein, Fortune, 12 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for intelligent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for intelligent
Adjective
-
There is no analogous player in this squad to Grimaldo; Marc Cucurella, the man who has displaced him in the Spain team, is positionally smart but a more effective off-ball runner than on-ball playmaker.—
Liam Twomey,
New York Times,
17 May 2026
-
The clients who will be best positioned are the ones making smart decisions today — not the ones reacting to a tax bill six months from now.—
Greg Raiff,
Fortune,
16 May 2026
Adjective
-
On the surface, this looks rational.—
Illia Smoliienko,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
-
In the face of what all agree is a housing crisis, Onni’s residential plan will have to wait at least a decade for a more rational City Council.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
14 May 2026
Adjective
-
So far, his ideological offensive on film content has been discreet.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
17 May 2026
-
What used to be a discreet stop on a vacation itinerary is now the whole reason for the trip.—
Hanna Wickes,
Sacbee.com,
15 May 2026
Adjective
-
But the most clever way to take advantage of this trend?—
Diana Tsui,
Footwear News,
15 May 2026
-
This clever ruse thwarted the late-summer naval attack.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
15 May 2026
Adjective
-
In a groove Phil Maton is cautious to ever declare that his delivery has fully come together.—
Meghan Montemurro,
Chicago Tribune,
13 May 2026
-
Beneath the measured pace of transactions — collectors more cautious, galleries recalibrating, auction houses tempering expectations — the intellectual and aesthetic stakes of contemporary art feel newly urgent.—
Andrew S. Jacobson,
Baltimore Sun,
13 May 2026
Adjective
-
Airy and breathable, these temperature-regulating pants feature an elastic waistband that’s quick and easy to pull on, and comfortable enough to wear for hours on busy travel days.—
Sophie Dodd,
Travel + Leisure,
20 May 2026
-
Sharpen the service with a quick in-room tutorial on lights, a/c, curtains, and handy bedside tablet.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 May 2026
Adjective
-
In a debate for the Democratic nomination for the Senate in Iowa this month, one of the moderators, Erin Murphy, asked the candidates, Josh Turek and Zach Wahls, both state legislators, a reasonable, if downbeat, question.—
Amy Davidson Sorkin,
New Yorker,
17 May 2026
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The tuition payments may be a gift presented without strings, but there are still plenty of reasonable expectations that come with a college education.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Chicago Tribune,
17 May 2026
Adjective
-
To those who disagreed with him, Adams was a tireless pest trying to force his views onto more moderate and prudent men.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 May 2026
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The new northbound camera also could capture unlawful right turns on red by drivers who fail to stop or who turn in a manner the city describes as not careful and prudent.—
Theo Karantsalis,
Miami Herald,
7 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Intelligent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/intelligent. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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