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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in witty
given to or marked by mature intelligent humor
something one sees so rarely on TV: a smart sitcom
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in stylish
being in the latest or current fashion
boutiques specializing in smart clothes for cosmopolitan women
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in cute
making light of something usually regarded as serious or sacred
just joked and made smart comments during the ceremony
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in smartly
Related Words
Dissimilar 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 smart
Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 15 May 2026
China would be very smart to cool it a little bit.
—Eunice Yoon,dan Mangan,kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 15 May 2026
Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 30 Mar. 2026
Still smarting from the Winfrey experience, Netflix approached the couple to discuss how a potential book deal would impact the release of the docuseries.
—Matt Donnelly, Variety, 17 Mar. 2026
Al Shipley, SPIN, 12 May 2026
In this retiree state with much smarts and experience but sorely values-twisted by years of lopsided Republican rule under Govs.
—Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 May 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
The more financially savvy questions yielded smarter answers.
—Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 15 May 2026
China would be very smart to cool it a little bit.
—Eunice Yoon,dan Mangan,kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 15 May 2026
Verb
With the Boston Celtics in town, undoubtedly still smarting from the beatdown the Charlotte Hornets put on them earlier this month, the stage was set for another meaningful game in uptown.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 30 Mar. 2026
Still smarting from the Winfrey experience, Netflix approached the couple to discuss how a potential book deal would impact the release of the docuseries.
—Matt Donnelly, Variety, 17 Mar. 2026
Noun
Blue Bell Knoll was also the band’s first Billboard 200 entry, and a major step forward for the band’s unorthodox pop smarts.
—Al Shipley, SPIN, 12 May 2026
In this retiree state with much smarts and experience but sorely values-twisted by years of lopsided Republican rule under Govs.
—Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 May 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
-
In a world where intelligent systems can respond to events faster than any human team, reactive leadership loses its edge.—
Rhett Power,
Forbes.com,
17 May 2026
-
The device incorporates controllable blades, on-board batteries and intelligent control systems, aimed at optimizing its operation in real conditions of operation on the high seas.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
16 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
-
Zabaglio’s brother, Jamie, visited from Washington and performed a witty free-form comedy act only a few slots after his sibling.—
Christopher Buchanan,
Los Angeles Times,
18 May 2026
-
There are moments of great, witty tenderness here.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
15 May 2026
Adjective
-
The bottoms don’t just feel more elegant, but are a quick way to make outfits appear upscale whether they’re styled with a T-shirt and sneakers or a button-up shirt and ballet flats.—
Rylee Johnston,
PEOPLE,
16 May 2026
-
The palate is velvety and elegant, balancing weight with restraint.—
Joseph V Micallef,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2026
Adjective
-
Subtle stripe detailing on both the sweater and pant hems gives this knit set a cohesive, stylish edge—and a pop of color—sans sacrificing comfort.—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
16 May 2026
-
For wardrobe emergencies, try Roo’s Beach near Newquay, which specializes in stylish beach-to-bar clothing.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
16 May 2026
Adjective
-
Walter, who had left the Progressive Labor Party, didn’t preach Marxism to his son, but Riley embraced a radical-left viewpoint on his own, after tagging along with some cute older girls who were participating in a cannery workers’ strike.—
Emily Nussbaum,
New Yorker,
17 May 2026
-
He's described as being cute, with chin-length dark hair, dimples and a diamond stud in one ear.—
Jennifer McClellan,
USA Today,
17 May 2026
Adjective
-
The area North Cornwall has plenty of fancy restaurants, but Prawn on the Lawn in Padstow gets the balance right between sophisticated seafood and laidback service.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
16 May 2026
-
As a solo artist, Batmanglij writes in a style that is baroque and sophisticated, and lightly warped in a way that recalls both Paul Simon and Radiohead.—
Amanda Petrusich,
New Yorker,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
Twins catcher Ryan Jeffers left the game mid at-bat in the eighth inning after hurting his wrist on a foul-ball swing.—
Betsy Helfand,
Twin Cities,
19 May 2026
-
Missing debt payments can hurt your credit score relatively quickly, particularly if accounts become 30 or 60 days past due.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
19 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Smart.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smart. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
