as in sense
the ability to learn and understand or to deal with problems
she's got the gray matter to figure that equation out
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of gray matter
The gray matter in our brains as early teenagers is actually the fullest of our lives.
—
Kara Alaimo,
CNN Money,
28 Apr. 2026
The researchers found that those who passed the exam had an increase in gray matter and enhanced memory.
—
Amanda Gardner,
Martha Stewart,
8 Feb. 2026
White matter, so named because of a pale, fatty substance called myelin that wraps the bundles of nerves, carries information between gray matter areas like highways in the brain.
—
Christopher M. Filley,
The Conversation,
3 Feb. 2026
Long-term, alcohol damages the brain by shrinking white and gray matter, dulling rewards, and overactivating the stress system.
—
Sarah Bence,
Verywell Health,
6 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gray matter
Kara Alaimo,
CNN Money,
28 Apr. 2026
The researchers found that those who passed the exam had an increase in gray matter and enhanced memory.
—
Amanda Gardner,
Martha Stewart,
8 Feb. 2026
White matter, so named because of a pale, fatty substance called myelin that wraps the bundles of nerves, carries information between gray matter areas like highways in the brain.
—
Christopher M. Filley,
The Conversation,
3 Feb. 2026
Long-term, alcohol damages the brain by shrinking white and gray matter, dulling rewards, and overactivating the stress system.
—
Sarah Bence,
Verywell Health,
6 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gray matter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gray matter
Noun
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Against that backdrop, some say the ships are offering a surprising sense of connection.
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Since relocating to Los Angeles, Gonzalez’s small downtown team has scaled Happy Organics into a design-forward brand carried by major retailers, anchored in local maker communities and a sense of purpose.
Noun
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Bobbi Queen, a former senior fashion editor at WWD who was known for her intelligence, wit and sense of style, died Thursday at her New York apartment at the age of 84.
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Autonomy with human oversight Artificial intelligence handles much of CobraJet’s flight through an autonomous autopilot supported by electro-optical and infrared cameras.
Noun
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His ebullience, keen intellect and warmth jump off the pages.
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Recognizing her extraordinary intellect, the Wheatley family educated her, and by age 20 her poetry had earned publication in London.
Noun
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But this also is among the reasons her books are considered must-reads in the classroom, and contemporary classics.
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The Los Angeles Dodgers made headlines in 2025 for a number of reasons.
Cite this Entry
“Gray matter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gray%20matter. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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