1
as in smart
having or showing quickness of mind proud parents typically insist that their child is intelligent way beyond his or her years his intelligent response to the emergency averted a disaster

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
3

Synonym Chooser

How is the word intelligent distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of intelligent are alert, clever, and quick-witted. While all these words mean "mentally keen or quick," intelligent stresses success in coping with new situations and solving problems.

an intelligent person could assemble it fast

When is alert a more appropriate choice than intelligent?

While in some cases nearly identical to intelligent, alert stresses quickness in perceiving and understanding.

alert to new technology

When would clever be a good substitute for intelligent?

Although the words clever and intelligent have much in common, clever implies native ability or aptness and sometimes suggests a lack of more substantial qualities.

clever with words

When might quick-witted be a better fit than intelligent?

The words quick-witted and intelligent are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, quick-witted implies promptness in finding answers in debate or in devising expedients in moments of danger or challenge.

no match for his quick-witted opponent

Examples 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 intelligent There is speculation that the string of robberies could be a result of a highly intelligent crime ring. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024 Choose among an array of gifts to enhance in-flight comfort, including a travel-sized Theragun to ease muscle cramps, an intelligent Dyson Airwrap, and a premium hydrating face mask. Jaclyn Trop, Robb Report, 10 Dec. 2024 The film follows a struggling father Nick (Michele Morrone) who buys a lifelike artificially intelligent sim named Alice (Megan Fox) to help with housework while his wife Maggie (Madeline Zima) remains in the hospital awaiting a heart transplant. Jordana Comiter, People.com, 10 Dec. 2024 The company, headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz., is a semiconductor manufacturer serving tens of thousands of customers across several markets with intelligent power and sensing technologies. IEEE Spectrum, 7 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for intelligent 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for intelligent
Adjective
  • In response, social media companies’ algorithms to detect drug-selling behavior are getting smarter and are aggregating images and emojis, Fuller says.
    Mattha Busby, WIRED, 17 Dec. 2024
  • This includes smart TVs, non-gaming laptops, phones, tablets or third party gaming devices.
    Paul Tassi, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Those feelings can flood your brain, overtake some of your rational decision-making ability, and lead you to shy away from asking difficult or direct questions.
    Michelle Greenberg-Kobrin, Contributor, CNBC, 18 Dec. 2024
  • Striking this balance between rational responsibility and intrepid innovation will ensure trust and fairness while fostering breakthroughs that define market leaders.
    Douglas B. Laney, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • The company also offers the SK hynix Tube T31 1TB - $59.99 (was $89.99) Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II $249.00 These earbuds provide 6 hours of listening time, they've been modified to be more discreet than last year's model, and their sound is Bose-excellent.
    Josh Max, Forbes, 29 Nov. 2024
  • Telehealth companies offer a convenient and discreet way to receive expert care from the comfort of your home.
    Sandra Rose Salathe, Flow Space, 26 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Walz’s work relies on manipulating online databases, but, like the work of MSCHF, his most clever projects bleed into the real world.
    Kyle Chayka, The New Yorker, 18 Dec. 2024
  • For port days, there are shore excursions that cater to families, and the rooms have several clever arrangements like a bunk that comes out of the ceiling.
    Esther Carlstone, Parents, 18 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • By recommending a cautious approach, Decentralized Masters enabled its members to make informed decisions in a volatile market.
    Chris Gallagher, USA TODAY, 10 Dec. 2024
  • Trump's call for an immediate ceasefire went beyond the public policy stands taken by the Biden administration and Ukraine and drew a cautious response from Zelenskyy.
    ELLEN KNICKMEYER AND JOANNA KOZLOWSKA THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, arkansasonline.com, 9 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Short books to read to meet your reading goal Need a short book to cap off your 2024 reading or a quick, immersive read to get you out of a reading slump?
    Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 12 Dec. 2024
  • Amidst it all, Paris Hilton, the ultimate Duracell bunny, took a quick break to join Pretty Little Liars star Ashley Benson and her actor husband Brandon Jack James for a tête-à-tête on a sofa.
    Freya Drohan, Vogue, 11 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • This is a reasonable request and a fair expectation.
    Brian Mitchell, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024
  • Additionally, offering a reasonable grace period can allow employees time to adapt to the new policy.
    Johnny C. Taylor Jr., USA TODAY, 17 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Conclusion Being judicious about allocating resources is one of the most important jobs for C-suite technology leaders.
    Chris Dimitriadis, Forbes, 25 Nov. 2024
  • Sony is similarly judicious with motion smoothing, which irons out choppier images and hard camera pans effectively on the lowest settings, without making film content look weird.
    Ryan Waniata, WIRED, 22 Sep. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near intelligent

Cite this Entry

“Intelligent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/intelligent. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on intelligent

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!