1
as in intelligent
having or showing a practical cleverness or judgment
a smart investment that has really paid off
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in clever
having or showing quickness of mind
a smart child who will do well in school
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in witty
given to or marked by mature intelligent humor
something one sees so rarely on TV: a smart sitcom
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in elegant
being strikingly neat and trim in style or appearance
dressed in their smart new uniforms, the cadets proudly paraded around the grounds of the military school
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in stylish
being in the latest or current fashion
boutiques specializing in smart clothes for cosmopolitan women
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in cute
making light of something usually regarded as serious or sacred
just joked and made smart comments during the ceremony
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in sophisticated
having a wide and refined knowledge of the world especially from personal experience
a novelist who got much of the material for his works by hanging out with the smart set
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in tingle
a sharp unpleasant sensation usually felt in some specific part of the body
the toddler was whining over the smart from the cut
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in sense
smarts plural
the ability to learn and understand or to deal with problems
she had the smarts to start college at age 16, but perhaps not the emotional maturity
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in smartly
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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 smart
Paris Wilson, Travel + Leisure, 30 May 2026
So a lot of really smart, creative people are kind of flooding into this area now.
—AFAR Media, 30 May 2026
Max Zahn, ABC News, 30 Apr. 2026
Soon, Goodwin began out-smarting his family.
—Doug Haller, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2026
Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 14 May 2026
With those smarts, there’s just a hard-working player who will outright create his own points to pounce at.
—Shayna Goldman, New York Times, 14 May 2026
Thomas Hindle, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Apr. 2022
No smart-shaming allowed here.
—Neil Senturia, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Mar. 2022
See All Example Sentences for smart
Adjective
There are packs with smart compartments that make organization effortless, weather‑resistant builds that withstand unpredictable conditions, and lightweight designs that won’t slow you down on steep switchbacks.
—Paris Wilson, Travel + Leisure, 30 May 2026
So a lot of really smart, creative people are kind of flooding into this area now.
—AFAR Media, 30 May 2026
Verb
Shoppers are already smarting from financial strain, analysts from Edward Jones and EY-Parthenon said.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 30 Apr. 2026
Soon, Goodwin began out-smarting his family.
—Doug Haller, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2026
Noun
That is a 38% discount, which means $250 off, on a giant Quantum Dot display featuring Dolby Vision HDR, Fire TV smarts, and a sleek bezel-less design.
—Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 14 May 2026
With those smarts, there’s just a hard-working player who will outright create his own points to pounce at.
—Shayna Goldman, New York Times, 14 May 2026
Adverb
The stand has a sleek design made from thin but sturdy fiberglass, pieced together in a smart-looking Z-shape.
—Thomas Hindle, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Apr. 2022
No smart-shaming allowed here.
—Neil Senturia, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Mar. 2022
See All Example Sentences for smart
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smart
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
-
There’s a fine blue line between stupid and clever.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
31 May 2026
-
Auoon Clip-On Pot Strainer This clever clip-on pot strainer takes up less space in the cabinet and the dishwasher, and makes quick work of straining pasta water, washing fruit and vegetables, and more.—
Maggie Horton,
PEOPLE,
30 May 2026
Adjective
-
The service The staff are gentle but also fun, witty and joyful, such as Rini, who can answer almost any question on Bawah; Nintya who handles landscaping and permaculture; and the waiter Julian, who likes to practice his English accent.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 June 2026
-
To make the musical masterpiece of his dreams, Lestat will have to break on through his shell of witty cruelty and hope an authentic soul remains intact beneath it.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
2 June 2026
Adjective
-
Michter’s has spent years proving that rye can also be elegant, balanced, and surprisingly approachable, and its latest 10 Year Rye release continues that mission.—
Emily Price,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2026
-
In Palm Beach, Florida, Jelly Roll performs at his Little ASS Shed Tour, while in Los Angeles, Kim Kardashian and Kris Jenner look elegant as ever in black and white outfits.—
People Staff,
PEOPLE,
30 May 2026
Adjective
-
Round it out with a stylish Béis belt bag to keep airport essentials close at hand, leaving you no excuse to hold up security, knowing the coveted carry is just under $30.—
Julia Morlino,
Travel + Leisure,
29 May 2026
-
Zaya Wade is one stylish teenager!—
Alexandra Schonfeld,
PEOPLE,
29 May 2026
Adjective
-
Right now, the comfy-cute cute walking shoes are on sale from just $55.—
Ruby McAuliffe,
InStyle,
30 May 2026
-
My favorites include breezy linen co-ords, casual-but-cute loungewear sets, and elevated athleisure styles that work for basically everything — starting at $21.—
Jill Layton,
PEOPLE,
30 May 2026
Adjective
-
As robots grow more capable and AI more sophisticated, a growing chorus of researchers contends that machines can go further, do more, and take on greater risk – all at a fraction of the cost of keeping a human alive in orbit.—
Omar Kardoudi
May 29,
New Atlas,
29 May 2026
-
Mythos, the existence of which was first reported by Fortune in March, is notable for its coding and cyber capabilities, including the ability to find vulnerabilities in existing software and chain these vulnerabilities together to execute sophisticated cyber attacks.—
Beatrice Nolan,
Fortune,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
The ship reported two explosions and a fire onboard, that was subsequently put out, UKMTO said, adding that no crew were hurt.—
Kevin Liptak,
CNN Money,
2 June 2026
-
According to Marcia, George was convinced he’d be laughed out of Hollywood because in the original script characters were running around and shooting at one another and nobody was getting hurt.—
Emily St. Martin,
Los Angeles Times,
2 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Smart.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smart. Accessed 3 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
