intelligent

[in-tel-i-juhnt] / ɪnˈtɛl ɪ dʒənt /

ADJECTIVE

very smart

Synonyms

STRONGEST

astute brainy bright brilliant creative imaginative inventive knowledgeable original perceptive rational resourceful smart well-informed wise

WEAK

able acute alert alive all there apt calculating capable clever comprehending deep discerning enlightened exceptional highbrow ingenious instructed keen knowing penetrating perspicacious profound quick quick-witted ready reasonable responsible sage sharp thinking together understanding whiz witty

Antonyms

STRONGEST

dark dull ignorant normal old stupid typical unaware uncreative uneducated unimaginative unintelligent uninventive unreasonable unresourceful worn

WEAK

foolish idiotic imbecile

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

To see how birds stack up against other intelligent animals, Mr. Lefebvre contrasts them to primates.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 22, 2026

The rise of AI tools that instantly answer questions and complex problems could make humans less intelligent, the Royal Observatory Greenwich has warned.

From BBC • May 18, 2026

When his character contacts Léa Seydoux’s French plant expert, it becomes almost too much rapturously intelligent star wattage for one quietly poetic movie, even if these god-tier actors are just zooming and talking shop.

From Los Angeles Times • May 15, 2026

He’s clearly an old soul, keenly intelligent, cheeky and sensitive.

From Salon • May 15, 2026

Suddenly television crews might follow me around in the gym, and reporters would want to interview me for stories, and I’d need to express my personality and be gracious and hopefully sound intelligent.

From "Courage to Soar" by Simone Biles

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