1
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in stylish
being in the latest or current fashion
boutiques specializing in smart clothes for cosmopolitan women
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 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
5
as in intelligent
having or showing a practical cleverness or judgment
a smart investment that has really paid off
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in clever
having or showing quickness of mind
a smart child who will do well in school
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Try This Instead
Try This InsteadFor
Try This
smart people
a smart move
smart phones
a smart girl
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
Mike Feibus, USA Today, 7 June 2025
One powerful way to support this smarter approach is through Grid Enhancing Technologies (GETs).
—Dawn Shirreffs, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 June 2025
Tony Baranek, Chicago Tribune, 5 Apr. 2025
Gavin relies on his smarts and sense to make good reads and his understanding of how to play in the offensive zone is a strength, but questions about his pace/competitiveness do linger.
—Scott Wheeler, New York Times, 29 May 2025
Al Weaver, The Hill, 20 Jan. 2025
By Matt Baker 3 TAMPA, Fla. — South Carolina coach Dawn Staley knew her leading scorer was stewing and smarting after the 23-point blowout loss to UConn in Sunday’s national championship game.
—Matt Baker, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2025
cleveland, 24 Sep. 2022
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
See All Example Sentences for smart
Adjective
This feature alone could turn out to be the killer smart home app.
—Mike Feibus, USA Today, 7 June 2025
One powerful way to support this smarter approach is through Grid Enhancing Technologies (GETs).
—Dawn Shirreffs, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 June 2025
Noun
Sandburg coach Amanda Allison puts Trunk in the leadoff spot for her slapping and speed but also her smarts.
—Tony Baranek, Chicago Tribune, 5 Apr. 2025
Gavin relies on his smarts and sense to make good reads and his understanding of how to play in the offensive zone is a strength, but questions about his pace/competitiveness do linger.
—Scott Wheeler, New York Times, 29 May 2025
Verb
Democrats, still smarting from their defeat at the ballot box, twice voted overwhelmingly to open debate on the measure in the hopes of amending it.
—Al Weaver, The Hill, 20 Jan. 2025
By Matt Baker 3 TAMPA, Fla. — South Carolina coach Dawn Staley knew her leading scorer was stewing and smarting after the 23-point blowout loss to UConn in Sunday’s national championship game.
—Matt Baker, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2025
Adverb
Seats can be trimmed in a smart-looking gray wool blend, part of Volvo’s effort to eliminate leather use by 2030.
—cleveland, 24 Sep. 2022
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
See All Example Sentences for smart
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smart
Adjective
-
The newest model continues to fuse advanced materials with Japanese craftsmanship and cutting-edge technology to create a timepiece that is durable, precise and elegant.—
Fairchild Studio,
Footwear News,
6 June 2025
-
And Just Like That… is, for lack of a more elegant term, so goddamn weird this season.—
Emma Bocchi,
Vogue,
6 June 2025
Adjective
-
In a community so focused on performance gear, there was a surprising lack of quality—and stylish—womenswear.—
Alexandra York,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2025
-
Our destination was Cuyama Buckhorn, a roadside motel that in recent years has been made over into a stylish resort with vintage flourishes, such as bocce courts and firepits ideal for roasting s’mores.—
David Amsden,
Travel + Leisure,
13 June 2025
Adjective
-
Adding witty sayings to the leaves of handheld fans, Knighten wanted to make a statement with her products in a fun and unique way.—
Ruth Etiesit Samuel,
Essence,
4 June 2025
-
This bold, witty new play follows two sets of Armenian Americans: one man fighting for legal recognition in the 1920s, while a century later, his descendant fights for followers and a competent glam team.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
3 June 2025
Adjective
-
Plus, a slight slit in the legs adds a cute and playful touch.—
Jacquelyn Smith,
Parents,
13 June 2025
-
To achieve that look, make sure your capsule wardrobe has a solid, multifunctional layer like the Madewell crochet vest tank that can be worn on top of a cute boxy T-shirt, and also by itself.—
Riana Singh,
Travel + Leisure,
13 June 2025
Adjective
-
In 1950 the Italian physicist Enrico Fermi was discussing the possibility of intelligent alien life with his colleagues.—
Philip Ball,
Wired News,
8 June 2025
-
Second, a human must be kept in the loop of intelligent machine decision-making processes.—
John Werner,
Forbes.com,
8 June 2025
Adjective
-
The argument that Trump has violated the 10th Amendment is a clever subversion of a line of thinking that has traditionally been backed by conservative judges, said Erwin Chemerinsky, the dean of the UC Berkeley School of Law.—
Laura J. Nelson,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2025
-
That dish is clever, for sure, but it’s served in an oddly gargantuan portion, and its playful clash of textures and temperatures wears out its welcome after a bite or two.—
Helen Rosner,
New Yorker,
8 June 2025
Adjective
-
With its sky-high housing and living costs and its large and sophisticated workforce and population, the minimum wage that Albany dictates for the state will always be far too low to guarantee city workers a decent living.—
Paul Sonn,
New York Daily News,
4 June 2025
-
Contemporary neutral hues in the fabrics and wood veneer are contrasted with deep olive-juniper accents, dark Emperador marble, and antiqued metalwork, creating a calming and sophisticated atmosphere.—
Daniel Cote,
Robb Report,
4 June 2025
Noun
-
Formulated with spicy ginger oil and hyaluronic acid, a quick tingle leads to softer, smoother lips sans stickiness.—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
27 Apr. 2025
-
The product glides on smooth like butter and leaves behind a faint cooling tingle.—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
17 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Smart.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smart. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share