1
as in smart
having or showing a practical cleverness or judgment
her sharp-witted questions always cut right to the core of the issue
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2
as in intelligent
having or showing quickness of mind
a TV game show that allows sharp-witted contestants to show their stuff
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Recent Examples of sharp-witted
Nowhere is the ham-handed effort more evident than in Texas, where a blend of culture war grievance and incel-targeting rage have circled the sharp-witted but mild-mannered Talarico, whose campaign is shaping up to be a fundraising juggernaut.
—
Philip Elliott, Time, 2 June 2026
Forced into an uneasy alliance with a sharp-witted poacher living on the margins of society (Kellyman), the two women fight back, turning their powerlessness into strength through violence, wit, and defiance.
—Zac Ntim, Deadline, 27 Apr. 2026
Curtis is set to step into the role of Jessica Fletcher, the sharp-witted mystery writer and amateur detective famously portrayed by Angela Lansbury in the original television series.
—Staff Author, PEOPLE, 24 Apr. 2026
They’ll be joined by Downton Abbey‘s Julian Ovenden as the suave, sophisticated Dexter Haven, Carly Mercedes Dyer (Anything Goes) as the sharp-witted Liz, Nigel Lindsay (Mobland) as Uncle Willie, and Malcolm Sinclair (Pie in the Sky) as Seth Lord.
—Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 8 Apr. 2026
Before Uncle Sam, other figures represented the young country, including Yankee Doodle, once a British insult aimed at American colonials, and Brother Jonathan, a sharp-witted embodiment of American common sense.
—Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 10 Mar. 2026
Abbington plays Eve, a sharp-witted, slightly off-kilter actress whose obsession with the case pulls her into the investigative orbit and complicates the group dynamic.
—Emiliano De Pablos, Variety, 16 Feb. 2026
More than 40 years after Paula Poundstone first appeared on late-night, the comedian is still performing her sharp-witted brand of comedy.
—Jennifer Day, Chicago Tribune, 22 Jan. 2026
In the film, Tyler, the Creator — credited under his full name, Tyler Okonma — plays Wally, a sharp-witted taxi driver who, like Chalamet’s Marty Mauser, is a ping-pong obsessive.
—Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 29 Dec. 2025
Philip Elliott, Time, 2 June 2026
Forced into an uneasy alliance with a sharp-witted poacher living on the margins of society (Kellyman), the two women fight back, turning their powerlessness into strength through violence, wit, and defiance.
—Zac Ntim, Deadline, 27 Apr. 2026
Curtis is set to step into the role of Jessica Fletcher, the sharp-witted mystery writer and amateur detective famously portrayed by Angela Lansbury in the original television series.
—Staff Author, PEOPLE, 24 Apr. 2026
They’ll be joined by Downton Abbey‘s Julian Ovenden as the suave, sophisticated Dexter Haven, Carly Mercedes Dyer (Anything Goes) as the sharp-witted Liz, Nigel Lindsay (Mobland) as Uncle Willie, and Malcolm Sinclair (Pie in the Sky) as Seth Lord.
—Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 8 Apr. 2026
Before Uncle Sam, other figures represented the young country, including Yankee Doodle, once a British insult aimed at American colonials, and Brother Jonathan, a sharp-witted embodiment of American common sense.
—Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 10 Mar. 2026
Abbington plays Eve, a sharp-witted, slightly off-kilter actress whose obsession with the case pulls her into the investigative orbit and complicates the group dynamic.
—Emiliano De Pablos, Variety, 16 Feb. 2026
More than 40 years after Paula Poundstone first appeared on late-night, the comedian is still performing her sharp-witted brand of comedy.
—Jennifer Day, Chicago Tribune, 22 Jan. 2026
In the film, Tyler, the Creator — credited under his full name, Tyler Okonma — plays Wally, a sharp-witted taxi driver who, like Chalamet’s Marty Mauser, is a ping-pong obsessive.
—Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 29 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sharp-witted
Adjective
-
Many professionals spend years trying to sound smarter, calmer, more agreeable, or more polished while gradually losing trust in their natural instincts and communication style.—
Dr. Diane Hamilton,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2026
-
GreenLife brings smart design and colorful style to your everyday cooking with this Compact Stainless Steel Saucepan Set.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 June 2026
Adjective
-
When the heavy lifting of data synthesis and standard analysis is supported by intelligent systems, workers are free to elevate their thinking.—
Glenn Llopis,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2026
-
Accelerating technological innovation Beyond software development, BYD is also investing heavily in the underlying hardware required for intelligent vehicles.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
30 May 2026
Adjective
-
While the criticism is well deserved, to its credit, the report does make a handful of astute observations that Democrats would be wise not to dismiss.—
Douglas Schoen,
Oc Register,
28 May 2026
-
The Cult Content Boom The three-part series, however, is grounded with an astute cast, headed by former cult member Hoyt Richards, a 1980s and ’90s supermodel, the face of global campaigns for Versace, Valentino, Cartier and Ralph Lauren.—
R. Daniel Foster,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
Adjective
-
The sale features impressive savings on patio furniture, area rugs, Adirondack chairs, and clever storage solutions that make handling household clutter easy.—
Tanya Sharma,
PEOPLE,
6 June 2026
-
June 2026 As Motto by Hilton’s second property in Mexico, Motto by Hilton Guadalajara Centro Historico will bring the brand’s clever, connected offerings to Guadalajara’s historic district.—
Roger Sands,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2026
Adjective
-
The 56-year-old Iranian American, who grew up in Los Angeles, is the architect of shrewd moves that have brought Paramount within reach of its blockbuster merger that would redefine Hollywood.—
Meg James,
Los Angeles Times,
1 June 2026
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Prove his nous in the transfer market Based on Nuno’s first window, Axel Disasi, 28, the loanee from Chelsea and Taty Castellanos, 27, the €29m arrival from Lazio, were shrewd signings.—
Roshane Thomas,
New York Times,
28 May 2026
Adjective
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The area The property sits in the Anambas archipelago, an 80-minute flight from Batam, an Indonesian island that’s a quick boat ride from Singapore.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 June 2026
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In Campbell’s experience, the learning curve for padel is quicker than pickleball.—
Mindy Sink,
Denver Post,
2 June 2026
Adjective
-
These are purely an ornamental device, and the brilliant decision to include them, despite the fact that ornament is the only practical function, is a choice that only a designer in charge of her brand can make.—
Rachel Elspeth Gross,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2026
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And that kind of inner turmoil was really exciting to play with such a brilliant cast.—
Kate Aurthur,
Variety,
6 June 2026
Adjective
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Another placard states that, at one point, the driver of the fastest boat in the world lived across from the Sagamore.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 June 2026
-
SMRs are usually designed to be mass-produced and shipped to sites for faster and cheaper installation than traditional reactors, which often take over a decade to come online.—
Joseph Wilkins,
CNBC,
3 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sharp-witted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sharp-witted. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
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