1
as in comedian
a person (as a writer) noted for or specializing in humor
the pundits and political wits will get a lot of mileage out of the senator's latest gaffe
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2
as in wisdom
the ability to make intelligent decisions especially in everyday matters
he doesn't even have the wit to know when to come in out of the rain
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in mind
usually wits plural
the normal or healthy condition of the mental abilities
scared out of her wits
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in intelligence
exceptional discernment and judgment especially in practical matters
lacked the wit to see that the war was unwinnable
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of wit
The tongue-in-cheek wit of the franchise at its best is largely absent.
—
David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 14 May 2025
The whip of Twain’s wit is here, but it’s laid out like slides in a biology class.
—Dwight Garner, New York Times, 13 May 2025
But the marathon markup had all the trappings of the previous endurance contest, featuring waves of emergency takeout, loads of caffeine and plenty of grumpy lawmakers who sought unique ways to make it through the gauntlet with their wits intact.
—Mike Lillis, The Hill, 14 May 2025
Twain was both a brilliant writer who exposed America’s hypocrisies with humor and wit, and an angry man who savored revenge, nursed grudges and blamed God for the blows fate rained down on his head.
—Mary Ann Gwinn, Los Angeles Times, 9 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for wit
David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 14 May 2025
The whip of Twain’s wit is here, but it’s laid out like slides in a biology class.
—Dwight Garner, New York Times, 13 May 2025
But the marathon markup had all the trappings of the previous endurance contest, featuring waves of emergency takeout, loads of caffeine and plenty of grumpy lawmakers who sought unique ways to make it through the gauntlet with their wits intact.
—Mike Lillis, The Hill, 14 May 2025
Twain was both a brilliant writer who exposed America’s hypocrisies with humor and wit, and an angry man who savored revenge, nursed grudges and blamed God for the blows fate rained down on his head.
—Mary Ann Gwinn, Los Angeles Times, 9 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for wit
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wit
Noun
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Shortly after Reubens’ death, former costars and fellow comedians shared their condolences and memories of the star.—
Keith Langston,
People.com,
25 May 2025
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The task of the comedian is to turn that pain into laughter.—
Belinda Luscombe,
Time,
23 May 2025
Noun
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Meanwhile, the voters’ wisdom in trying to check pension costs has been repeatedly confirmed.—
U T Editorial Board,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 May 2025
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Still, Stuy pitches adoptees on the wisdom of testing.—
Barbara Demick,
New Yorker,
23 May 2025
Noun
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With January’s trauma still fresh in the minds of many, Verdery said the group is focused on rebuilding with an eye toward safety and resilience.—
Kate Nishimura,
Sourcing Journal,
29 May 2025
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Trump’s crackdown could see more Chinese scholars, including some of the brightest minds in their fields, return to their home country – or choose to stay in the first place, rejecting a US education for a Chinese degree instead.—
Steven Jiang,
CNN Money,
29 May 2025
Noun
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The group is a terrorist organization made up of operatives, spies and intelligence officials from agencies around the world who want to create a new world order.—
Keith Langston,
People.com,
24 May 2025
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According to a new assessment from no fewer than 11 countries’ intelligence agencies, the hacker group has been targeting a broad array of technology and logistics firms involved in providing aid to Ukraine.—
Andy Greenberg,
Wired News,
24 May 2025
Noun
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There’s some droll humor in this pileup of bad decisions and bad behavior — particularly in one running gag that sees Carey doggedly befriending Ashley’s parade of exes, including one hilariously gormless f-boy played by drawling ensemble standout Charlie Gillespie.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
19 May 2025
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Among the latter was John Bainbridge, an author of deadpan, droll Profiles and reported pieces.—
Mark Singer,
New Yorker,
18 May 2025
Noun
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But, as stated above with any Kevin Durant possibilities, pick prudence certainly does have to be part of any Heat transaction machinations going forward.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
9 May 2025
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Nonprofit plans, by contrast, often operate under strict reserve requirements, regulatory constraints and cultural norms that prioritize prudence over growth.—
Sachin H. Jain,
Forbes.com,
7 May 2025
Noun
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Against the backdrop of U.S. Vice-President J.D. Vance’s jaw-dropping polemic against European democracies at February’s Munich Security Conference, this was a welcome return to sense, if not sanity.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
2 June 2025
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But Verghese, of Stanford University, a physician who spoke of compassion, healing and of life’s brevity, was the chief messenger of sanity.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
1 June 2025
Noun
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Get insights into theater, music, movies, art and museums in the Queen City with our weekly Inside Charlotte Arts newsletter.—
Liz Rothaus Bertrand,
Charlotte Observer,
28 May 2025
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Scholars and journalist have tried to glean insight into his thinking by reading his speeches and writings and going through archival tape.—
Emily Feng,
NPR,
28 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Wit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wit. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.
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