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
Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Apr. 2026 But Rachel is stronger and smarter than she’s given credit for, plus her compassion really knows no bounds. —Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 10 Apr. 2026
Adam Beam, AJC.com, 21 Jan. 2026 Her must-haves span everything from a wrinkle-busting travel steamer and sleep-friendly essentials to smart in-flight upgrades and organizational tools that keep her carry-on under control. —Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 16 Jan. 2026
Scott Wheeler, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2026 His smarts came before his skills, which led to a similar development process at Harvard-Westlake as at UCLA. —Aaron Heisen, Daily News, 4 Apr. 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 former four-star recruit is smart, tough, technically sound, and already comfortable driving the operation. —Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Apr. 2026 But Rachel is stronger and smarter than she’s given credit for, plus her compassion really knows no bounds. —Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 10 Apr. 2026
Verb
McNeel spent more than the rest of the GOP field combined and was backed by the trial lawyers still smarting over last year’s litigation overhaul. —Adam Beam, AJC.com, 21 Jan. 2026 Her must-haves span everything from a wrinkle-busting travel steamer and sleep-friendly essentials to smart in-flight upgrades and organizational tools that keep her carry-on under control. —Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 16 Jan. 2026
Noun
Lane is a good-sized winger with some real puck skill, scoring touch, smarts, a level of physicality and competitiveness that puts him in the mix of everything that happens on the ice. —Scott Wheeler, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2026 His smarts came before his skills, which led to a similar development process at Harvard-Westlake as at UCLA. —Aaron Heisen, Daily News, 4 Apr. 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
-
Building on earlier Osmo Pocket models, the new version doubles down on image quality and intelligent shooting tools.— New Atlas, New Atlas, 17 Apr. 2026
-
Industry estimates suggest that Tesla shipped fewer than 500 intelligent robots in 2025, highlighting the gap between prototypes and large-scale deployment.— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 15 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Outside of being a clever marketing tactic, the controversy over the movie was also the natural result of a pre-internet time when Faces of Death was more talked about than actually seen.— Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 10 Apr. 2026
-
The clever tuning of the suspension and the steering wheel -- that's what our engineers are incredibly skilled at.— Morgan Korn, ABC News, 10 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Fallen Angels itself — about a pair of witty, worldly besties who get blitzed on champagne while considering cheating on their husbands with a mutual old flame — landed its author in trouble with the censors in London.— Sara Holdren, Vulture, 20 Apr. 2026
-
While Edebiri is fantastic in the wittier sequences, her dramatic turns lack an effortless authenticity.— Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 17 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
This elegant opera house hosts numerous events, mostly opera and ballet.— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Apr. 2026
-
The smooth, fluid drape reads elegant, and the fabric has a soft silk sheen that holds up beautifully in a suitcase.— Paris Wilson, Travel + Leisure, 11 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Quilted jackets are stylish, both lightweight and insulated, easy to layer, and conveniently packable, too.— Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Apr. 2026
-
This two-piece strikes the right balance between casual and stylish.— Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 17 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Fly across the world to visit archives and then look at additional pamphlets just because the covers look cute.— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Apr. 2026
-
For adventurous travelers who want to look cute in photos but also have a hike, tennis match, or other adventure on the agenda, this pleated skirt is an ideal pick.— Paris Wilson, Travel + Leisure, 10 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Helping keep everything under control are front Brembo brake calipers and a sophisticated adaptive air suspension with auto-leveling, a combination that gives the Acura an impressive blend of performance and ride comfort.— Sponsored Content, Denver Post, 17 Apr. 2026
-
While hacking is hardly uncommon in the crypto world, the Drift breach was particularly sophisticated.— Jack Kubinec, Fortune, 17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Furthermore, Mike Brown’s decision to play six minutes in the first half with neither Jalen Brunson nor Karl-Anthony Towns on the floor hurt New York immensely.— Darnell Mayberry, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2026
-
Bad word of mouth was hurting advance ticket sales.— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Smart.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/thesaurus/smart. Accessed 24 Apr. 2026.
Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
