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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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How is the word intelligent distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of intelligent are alert, clever, and quick-witted. While all these words mean "mentally keen or quick," intelligent stresses success in coping with new situations and solving problems.

an intelligent person could assemble it fast

When is alert a more appropriate choice than intelligent?

While in some cases nearly identical to intelligent, alert stresses quickness in perceiving and understanding.

alert to new technology

When would clever be a good substitute for intelligent?

Although the words clever and intelligent have much in common, clever implies native ability or aptness and sometimes suggests a lack of more substantial qualities.

clever with words

When might quick-witted be a better fit than intelligent?

The words quick-witted and intelligent are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, quick-witted implies promptness in finding answers in debate or in devising expedients in moments of danger or challenge.

no match for his quick-witted opponent

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 intelligent Behind the scenes Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) is a global edge-to-cloud company that delivers open and intelligent technology solutions as a service. Kenneth Squire, CNBC, 19 Apr. 2025 Many experts in the field of intelligent connectivity support technological advances, while also stressing the need for consumer awareness. Kristina Lindborg, Christian Science Monitor, 16 Apr. 2025 Elephants are highly intelligent and social animals. CBS News, 15 Apr. 2025 That could give us a whole new perspective on how intelligent species in the animal kingdom communicate and how their societies operate. New Atlas, 15 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for intelligent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for intelligent
Adjective
  • But smart leaders know that not all bets are created equal—and not all uncertainty plays by the same rules.
    Paola Cecchi-Dimeglio, Forbes.com, 22 Apr. 2025
  • Yamaha started with their largest offshore outboard, the XTO 450, and made some smart changes to handle hydrogen.
    Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report, FOXNews.com, 22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The economic idea that people are purely rational, self-serving beings has been undermined by broad research over decades into psychology and behavioral economics.
    Erik Sherman, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
  • That despite her reasoned, carefully articulated point to Joel, that this is not rational.
    James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 20 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Though the camerawork is relatively discreet, the imagination all too easily fills in any gory details the eye can’t see.
    Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 11 Apr. 2025
  • His aunt looks directly at Farah, making no effort to be discreet.
    David Bezmozgis, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The clever exploration of contrasts — marrying delicate fabrics, soft palettes, and masculine silhouettes — was the label’s unique formula for winning over fashion’s insiders, including powerhouse Moda Operandi.
    Angela Lei, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
  • The film follows 11-year-old Caroline (Johnson), a clever, sharp-eyed girl navigating a life of excitement and peril as a shoplifter with her mom Jocelyn (Williams).
    Matt Grobar, Deadline, 22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • This is another reason to be cautious about forecasting tariff impacts.
    George Calhoun, Forbes.com, 11 Apr. 2025
  • Collins said Republicans also need to be cautious about slashing the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which provides food benefits to low-income families, another budget-cutting target identified by fiscal conservatives.
    Alexander Bolton, The Hill, 11 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • This mower features a quick start system and a side discharge for efficient grass management.
    Nora Colomer, FOXNews.com, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Telegraphed data arrived in the morning, and FitzRoy made quick extrapolations from his knowledge of storm theories, sending forecasts an hour later.
    Danny Robb, JSTOR Daily, 14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • But looking at the right benchmarks shows that post-neoliberal economic policy—evident to a large degree in the actions of the Biden administration—righted the ship and kept the country afloat and sailing at a reasonable clip.
    Jennifer M. Harris, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025
  • Read has pleaded not guilty, denied killing O'Keefe and alleged she is being framed, attempting to sow reasonable doubt in prosecutors' claims and asserting that someone else killed O'Keefe and had ties to and influence over the investigation.
    Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Make sure to use politeness while prompting, though do not go overboard and be judicious in such wording.
    Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
  • The district now appears to be more judicious in imposing long-term removals, reserving them for serious, potentially dangerous infractions.
    Bryant Furlow, ProPublica, 12 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Intelligent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/intelligent. Accessed 26 Apr. 2025.

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