as in intelligent
having or showing quickness of mind
a brainy student who didn't fit in socially
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Recent Examples of brainy
We’re then transported to the monochrome widescreen of the early ’60s, when brainy, awkward PhD hopeful Johannes (looking much less splotchy) is working on his dissertation, traveling by train with his grumpy mentor Dr. Julius Strathen (Hanns Zischler) to a conference at a ski lodge.
—
Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2024
Language designers are a magnificently brainy bunch, many with a reformist zeal for dislodging the status quo.
—Sheon Han, WIRED, 23 Sep. 2024
Gibson does tell us that Carter’s greatest accomplishment in a life of prolific writing and scholarship was inspired by her intimate friendship with a brainy young woman, Catherine Talbot, who had written her a fan letter, and then blushed and smiled at her in church.
—Margaret Talbot, The New Yorker, 15 July 2024
Redick is an assertively brainy former Duke star who had a decent 15-year career as a three-point specialist for six teams, including the Clippers.
—Bill Plaschke, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2024
See All Example Sentences for brainy
Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2024
Language designers are a magnificently brainy bunch, many with a reformist zeal for dislodging the status quo.
—Sheon Han, WIRED, 23 Sep. 2024
Gibson does tell us that Carter’s greatest accomplishment in a life of prolific writing and scholarship was inspired by her intimate friendship with a brainy young woman, Catherine Talbot, who had written her a fan letter, and then blushed and smiled at her in church.
—Margaret Talbot, The New Yorker, 15 July 2024
Redick is an assertively brainy former Duke star who had a decent 15-year career as a three-point specialist for six teams, including the Clippers.
—Bill Plaschke, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2024
See All Example Sentences for brainy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brainy
Adjective
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The scaling hypothesis—the belief that bigger models will produce more intelligent outputs—seems to rest on the dubious belief that a system that has been fed enough information about the world will not have to deal with fuzziness.—
Meghan O’Gieblyn,
Harpers Magazine,
20 Aug. 2025
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Across a wide network, each unit can become intelligent by deploying state-of-the-art technologies and AI, but also by gaining easy access to insights from more successful locations.—
Andrei Danescu,
Forbes.com,
20 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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That the style of Beto’s documentary is so jumpy didn’t help, either, however clever the idea of making his film an episode unto itself.—
Keith Phipps,
Vulture,
21 Aug. 2025
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The most memorable of those came against Sheffield United, with two blockers at the near post (marked in white) and two runners from deep (black) allowing Pascal Struijk (yellow) to score from Joe Rothwell’s clever corner.—
Anantaajith Raghuraman,
New York Times,
21 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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From supporting local zoning reforms to promoting smart federal investments, our goal is simple: expand access to homeownership.—
Collyn Wainwright,
The Tennessean,
21 Aug. 2025
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And this year, some selections reveal smart strategizing, while others risk falling flat.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
20 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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However, one quick two-handed push off by No. 5 sent Morris earthbound as the coach quickly became London’s next victim.—
Hailey Hurst,
CNN Money,
14 Aug. 2025
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These routines are highly edited, almost hypnotic, with quick cuts, each mini-scene overlaid with a time stamp.—
Julie Beck,
The Atlantic,
14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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If Jefferson is limited in any way, the wide receiver cupboard is not exactly stocked with brilliant talent.—
Steve Silverman,
Forbes.com,
21 Aug. 2025
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Rob McCord is a brilliant attorney, capable of managing high-level budget deliberations while also engaging his mind creatively — whether in another language or in poetry.—
Aegis reader commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
21 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Among the safeties, Dewitt said Patterson is the fastest; Sterlin has the most range; and Gay is the biggest and most consistent hitter.—
Walter Villa,
Miami Herald,
14 Aug. 2025
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Polar bears rely on fast ice as a platform for hunting seals.—
Cassidy Randall,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Brainy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brainy. Accessed 4 Sep. 2025.
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