as in sense
the ability to learn and understand or to deal with problems
she's got the gray matter to figure that equation out
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of gray matter
According to a study in the National Library of Medicine, practices such as meditation, journaling and self-reflection have shown an ability to increase the gray matter of our frontal lobe and strengthening its capabilities.
—
Heather V. MacArthur, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024
The third wild card is a parasite that feeds off your gray matter and replaces it with asbestos.
—Grant Brisbee, The Athletic, 24 July 2024
First, neuroscientists are tasked with discovering the computational strategies at work in the brain’s squishy gray matter; then the data team will translate those strategies into algorithms.
—IEEE Spectrum, 30 May 2017
Past studies have also examined changes in the brain during pregnancy, including the decreases in gray matter volume, as well as a reduction in brain size.
—Melissa Willets, Parents, 25 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for gray matter 
Heather V. MacArthur, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024
The third wild card is a parasite that feeds off your gray matter and replaces it with asbestos.
—Grant Brisbee, The Athletic, 24 July 2024
First, neuroscientists are tasked with discovering the computational strategies at work in the brain’s squishy gray matter; then the data team will translate those strategies into algorithms.
—IEEE Spectrum, 30 May 2017
Past studies have also examined changes in the brain during pregnancy, including the decreases in gray matter volume, as well as a reduction in brain size.
—Melissa Willets, Parents, 25 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for gray matter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gray matter
Noun
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However, things are looking more settled in 2025, and producers with market nous sense opportunity.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
28 Jan. 2025
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While free-agent slugger Pete Alonso makes the most sense to fill that void, president of baseball operations David Stearns could be looking elsewhere for external solutions.—
Barbara A. Perry,
Newsweek,
28 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Affinity's Co-Founder, Ray Zhou, wants to bring relationship intelligence to the world because every opportunity begins with a relationship.—
Ray Zhou,
Forbes,
24 Jan. 2025
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The director of national intelligence in theory sits atop the hierarchy of U.S. intelligence agencies, although no one treats the position that way in reality.—
The Editors,
National Review,
24 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Franklin’s Pragmatic Idealism: Impact Over Ideology Franklin’s brilliance was not only in his intellect but in his ability to turn ideas into real-world solutions.—
Michael Sheldrick,
Forbes,
18 Jan. 2025
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Reeder’s a smallish winger (5-foot-10, 170 pounds) who relies on his on-ice intellect to navigate the ice, play off his linemates, find pockets of space and distribute.—
Scott Wheeler,
The Athletic,
14 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The reason: In many parts of North Carolina, there is only one poultry company that contracts with farmers.—
Ames Alexander,
Charlotte Observer,
26 Jan. 2025
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What Nafisi does best, and the reason her work has endured, is precisely to refuse cartoonish portrayals and basic morality plays.—
Arash Azizi,
The Atlantic,
26 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near gray matter
Cite this Entry
“Gray matter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gray%20matter. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025.
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