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Synonym Chooser

How does the noun genius differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of genius are aptitude, bent, faculty, gift, knack, and talent. While all these words mean "a special ability for doing something," genius suggests impressive inborn creative ability.

has no great genius for poetry

When is aptitude a more appropriate choice than genius?

The words aptitude and genius are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, aptitude implies a natural liking for some activity and the likelihood of success in it.

a mechanical aptitude

How do bent and aptitude relate to one another, in the sense of genius?

Bent is nearly equal to aptitude but it stresses inclination perhaps more than specific ability.

a family with an artistic bent

Where would faculty be a reasonable alternative to genius?

While the synonyms faculty and genius are close in meaning, faculty applies to an innate or less often acquired ability for a particular accomplishment or function.

a faculty for remembering names

When would gift be a good substitute for genius?

While in some cases nearly identical to genius, gift often implies special favor by God or nature.

the gift of singing beautifully

When is it sensible to use knack instead of genius?

The meanings of knack and genius largely overlap; however, knack implies a comparatively minor but special ability making for ease and dexterity in performance.

the knack of getting along

When could talent be used to replace genius?

The words talent and genius can be used in similar contexts, but talent suggests a marked natural ability that needs to be developed.

has enough talent to succeed

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 genius Nile Rodgers, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Chaka Khan, George Clinton, Vernon Reid, and more are also among the interviewees who help paint a cinematic portrait of Stone and his genius. Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 13 Feb. 2025 Instead, the wrestling genius is just focused on enjoying the ride. Kyle Newman, The Denver Post, 13 Feb. 2025 Thus, these geniuses essentially suggest about half the free agents best fit LA, Yankees, or Mets, because obviously those are the teams most in need of such additions to improve their competitive nature. Tim Britton, The Athletic, 12 Feb. 2025 And the latest star to pull off the look is none other than actress, icon, and comedic genius Keke Palmer. India Espy-Jones, Essence, 7 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for genius
Recent Examples of Synonyms for genius
Noun
  • Manu Garcia is a wizard (and knows about them, too) Manu Garcia came to Sporting KC this offseason after Burns traveled to Greece to meet with him.
    Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 17 Feb. 2025
  • In addition to overseeing the students at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Professor Dumbledore is also a powerful sorcerer, widely considered to be the greatest wizard ever.
    Rebecca Luther, TVLine, 12 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • With his calm demeanor and distinctive baritone, Biggie exhibited a rare talent for painting pictures with his bars, delivering a complex rhyme scheme of double entendres and metaphors that has kept him on the Mount Rushmore of rap for any true connoisseur of the genre.
    Shirley Halperin for The Hollywood Reporter, Robb Report, 1 Mar. 2025
  • This team is made up of a ton of young talent and it's worked out well on the court.
    Dan Perry, Newsweek, 1 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • New Yorkers with ambition and aptitude come together to complete these trainings in diverse cohorts led by expert instructors.
    Dynishal Gross, New York Daily News, 4 Feb. 2025
  • Whatever your interests and aptitude, chances are there is a need for your contribution in the workplace of today, and tomorrow.
    Aliza Knox, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Heidi Klum is the face of self care brand PosheEra.
    Mikelle Street, WWD, 19 Feb. 2025
  • The adaptive leader integrates I (self), we (others) and it (task and purpose) viewpoints.
    Hylke Faber, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Newgate Prison, situated in London’s city center, had long been the target of scrutiny as one of the most infamous manifestations of Victorian punitive ideology.
    Sarah C. Schaefer, Artforum, 1 Mar. 2025
  • The gathering in Kragujevac is just one manifestation of the largest popular revolt in Serbia since the overthrow of Slobodan Milošević, in which students played a key role.
    Dominique Soguel, The Christian Science Monitor, 26 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Despite also being the planet that rules over transportation, Mercury is most often referred to as the planet of intellect.
    Valerie Mesa, People.com, 28 Feb. 2025
  • This movement made known the intellect and talent of Black people and influenced future movements demanding the equal rights that Black people deserved.
    Shantay Robinson, ARTnews.com, 24 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Others are fine with building on the strength of a memorable story, but the best and longest-running series have a knack for reinvention.
    Gieson Cacho, The Mercury News, 24 Feb. 2025
  • All three are extremely talky, but Haugerud has a knack for making rivers of dialogue fluid, dynamic and cinematic.
    David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • The combination of IoT and AI enables connected devices to collect, analyze and act on data in real-time.
    Rahul Saluja, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2024
  • Just in time for Christmas, certain members of Congress are hard at work in their policy shops, fashioning a massive lump of cybersecurity coal with which to gift American users of electronic devices.
    David Williams, National Review, 26 Dec. 2024

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Cite this Entry

“Genius.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/genius. Accessed 5 Mar. 2025.

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