1
as in intelligent
having or showing a practical cleverness or judgment
a smart investment that has really paid off
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in clever
having or showing quickness of mind
a smart child who will do well in school
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3
as in witty
given to or marked by mature intelligent humor
something one sees so rarely on TV: a smart sitcom
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4
as in elegant
being strikingly neat and trim in style or appearance
dressed in their smart new uniforms, the cadets proudly paraded around the grounds of the military school
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5
as in stylish
being in the latest or current fashion
boutiques specializing in smart clothes for cosmopolitan women
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6
as in cute
making light of something usually regarded as serious or sacred
just joked and made smart comments during the ceremony
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7
as in sophisticated
having a wide and refined knowledge of the world especially from personal experience
a novelist who got much of the material for his works by hanging out with the smart set
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1
as in tingle
a sharp unpleasant sensation usually felt in some specific part of the body
the toddler was whining over the smart from the cut
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2
as in sense
smarts plural
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in smartly
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Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of smart
Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
For minimalists, Abasks’s smart leather bags come in gorgeous hues, and feature washable interiors.
—Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 14 Feb. 2026
Caroline Framke, Vulture, 15 Dec. 2025
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
Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 20 Jan. 2026
Who wouldn’t be happy, living life with so much talent or smarts?
—Isabel Fattal, The Atlantic, 17 Jan. 2026
Thomas Hindle, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Apr. 2022
No smart-shaming allowed here.
—Neil Senturia, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Mar. 2022
See All Example Sentences for smart
Adjective
Long-term security depends on reducing waste, supporting innovation, and planning smarter—not simply using more resources.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
For minimalists, Abasks’s smart leather bags come in gorgeous hues, and feature washable interiors.
—Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 14 Feb. 2026
Verb
Though Maia’s apparently now crushing being Tallulah’s manager in terms of getting her lucrative deal$, Tallulah’s still smarting from the embarrassment of her cheesy Ritz ad, leaving her unmotivated to keep going with whatever new ideas Maia puts in front of her.
—Caroline Framke, Vulture, 15 Dec. 2025
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
Noun
The group — comprising Gorman, General Motors CEO Mary Barra, Lululemon Athletica CEO Calvin McDonald and Sir Jeremy Darroch, the former head of Sky broadcasting in Britain — have been evaluating the smarts, stamina and public appeal of each candidate.
—Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 20 Jan. 2026
Who wouldn’t be happy, living life with so much talent or smarts?
—Isabel Fattal, The Atlantic, 17 Jan. 2026
Adverb
The stand has a sleek design made from thin but sturdy fiberglass, pieced together in a smart-looking Z-shape.
—Thomas Hindle, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Apr. 2022
No smart-shaming allowed here.
—Neil Senturia, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Mar. 2022
See All Example Sentences for smart
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smart
Adjective
-
Its intelligent brake and reverse (iBR) system adds specific control when slowing down or maneuvering around objects or when docking, along with different ride modes that let the rider chill (or sharpen) the throttle response depending on conditions.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
14 Feb. 2026
-
On Friday, the company plans to shutter its GPT-4o model — widely considered the most emotionally intelligent on the market, and often used for individuals’ companions.—
Rachyl Jones,
semafor.com,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Russia has been overtly aggressive while China is more clever and subtle, using tactics such as intellectual property theft and economic penetration of less developed countries.—
Rachel Royster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
-
From storage helpers to laundry and cleaning aids, try one of these clever uses for old pillowcases.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
14 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Instead of witty repartee or slick delivery, expect genuineness, a generosity of spirit, and a feeling of being nurtured and taken care of.—
Megan Spurrell,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Her writing is witty, and startlingly precise.—
Adelle Waldman,
The Atlantic,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The sheen of the leather, the oversized round buckle—these flat sandals are inherently elegant and modern without trying to be so.—
Alex Sales,
Glamour,
14 Feb. 2026
-
The Cellini was no doubt an elegant dress watch, though, as Coogler makes clear.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
14 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The colorful, detailed drawings span the full cover, quite different from Elizabeth’s minimalistic but stylish approach.—
Jess deCourcy Hinds
February 13,
Literary Hub,
13 Feb. 2026
-
However, the English Garden has a remarkably roomy and stylish interior that feels more like an apartment than a traditional tiny house.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Real Arizonans know that Valentine's Day is so much more than an excuse for candy and cute notes.—
Becky Bartkowski,
AZCentral.com,
14 Feb. 2026
-
From workplace romances to relationships built from body horror events, these are the precious pairs encouraging everyone to choose love above all and make that cute hand heart gesture.—
Sergio Pereira,
Space.com,
14 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Mostly, however, Gee’s sophisticated, stealthily moving film folds any bursts of emotion into its exquisitely dark shadows, letting Evans’ limpid but heartsore music do most of the weeping.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
13 Feb. 2026
-
At 5,300 years old, any of those explanations complicates the conventional picture of how sophisticated Predynastic Egyptian material science actually was.—
Ryan Brennan,
Kansas City Star,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Investors don’t want to inadvertently cheer on weakening job growth that could negatively impact consumer spending and economic growth, hurting stock prices.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Miami’s 39 sacks ranked 16th in the league, and the Dolphins were badly hurt by their inability to turn several pressures into sacks.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Smart.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smart. Accessed 17 Feb. 2026.
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