sharp-witted

adjective

ˈshärp-ˈwi-təd How to pronounce sharp-witted (audio)
Definition of sharp-wittednext
1
as in smart
having or showing a practical cleverness or judgment her sharp-witted questions always cut right to the core of the issue

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in intelligent
having or showing quickness of mind a TV game show that allows sharp-witted contestants to show their stuff

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 sharp-witted Nowhere is the ham-handed effort more evident than in Texas, where a blend of culture war grievance and incel-targeting rage have circled the sharp-witted but mild-mannered Talarico, whose campaign is shaping up to be a fundraising juggernaut. — Philip Elliott, Time, 2 June 2026 Curtis is set to step into the role of Jessica Fletcher, the sharp-witted mystery writer and amateur detective famously portrayed by Angela Lansbury in the original television series. — Staff Author, PEOPLE, 24 Apr. 2026 Before Uncle Sam, other figures represented the young country, including Yankee Doodle, once a British insult aimed at American colonials, and Brother Jonathan, a sharp-witted embodiment of American common sense. — Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 10 Mar. 2026 They’ll be joined by Downton Abbey‘s Julian Ovenden as the suave, sophisticated Dexter Haven, Carly Mercedes Dyer (Anything Goes) as the sharp-witted Liz, Nigel Lindsay (Mobland) as Uncle Willie, and Malcolm Sinclair (Pie in the Sky) as Seth Lord. — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 8 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sharp-witted
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sharp-witted
  1. smart
  2. intelligent
  3. astute
  4. clever
  5. shrewd
  6. quick
  7. brilliant
  8. fast
Adjective
  • Like its existing Ray-Ban Meta and Oakley smart glasses lines, the new designs are developed with EssilorLuxxottica — the group that also owns Prada eyewear, rumored to be Meta’s next collaborator.
    — Amy O’Brien, Vogue, 7 July 2026
  • Recreating the look is easy at Quince, where smart trousers and shirts are available in similar colors and materials that channel the same laid-back aesthetic.
    — Tanya Sharma, PEOPLE, 7 July 2026
Definition of smart
Adjective
  • The robot staff behind the scenes Pudu's FlashBot will run an intelligent vending system, allowing guests to order drink deliveries by smartphone.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 5 July 2026
  • His after-game interviews were always intelligent and sometimes humorous.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2026
Definition of intelligent
Adjective
  • However, his calm demeanor and astute in-game changes have helped the Selecao overcome deficits and build psychological resilience.
    — Chris Evans, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026
  • Her astute observations — and solid Disney fairy tale references — don't stop there.
    — Breanne L. Heldman, PEOPLE, 2 July 2026
Definition of astute
Adjective
  • See, for me, naming a snowplow isn’t just about clever wordplay.
    — Mark Glende, Twin Cities, 2 July 2026
  • Later in the day, your mind finds a clever solution, a useful contact or a whole new point of view.
    — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 1 July 2026
Definition of clever
Adjective
  • Neon proved especially shrewd handling its follow-up, selling McCarthy’s witchy haunted inn as both prestige fare and an accessible vehicle for star Adam Scott.
    — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 2 July 2026
  • Mary — played by Deirdre O’Connell, who has been in a million things, most recently The Penguin and Eddington — is too shrewd to just agree to sell the air rights for whatever price best suits Jimmy & Co.
    — Jen Chaney, Vulture, 26 June 2026
Definition of shrewd
Adjective
  • Michael Jackson and Lisa Marie Presley There may still be questions about whether the romance between Michael Jackson and Lisa Marie Presley was genuine, and their secret, quick-turn overseas wedding didn't help matters.
    — Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 3 July 2026
  • But upon closer inspection Mbiya appears significantly leaner and quicker.
    — Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 2 July 2026
Definition of quick
Adjective
  • The Colombia margin would have been larger but for the brilliant play of Ghana goalkeeper Lawrence Ati Zigi, who twice came up with two-handed saves to prevent goals.
    — Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 4 July 2026
  • The winner of 28 Grammys, Jones was a music producer, band leader, composer, arranger, television producer, music executive, conductor, trumpet player, civil rights activist, philanthropist and all-around brilliant person.
    — Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair, 3 July 2026
Definition of brilliant
Adjective
  • The iconic fast food company has grown beyond its California roots in recent years, opening locations in Colorado, Texas, Idaho, and as far east as Tennessee.
    — James Powel, USA Today, 7 July 2026
  • From climate change to drug discovery, quantum computing is expected to be solve problems at a pace where even the fastest supercomputers appear to be slow-moving snails.
    — Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 6 July 2026
Definition of fast

Browse Nearby Words

sharp-tongued
sharp-witted
shatter
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Cite this Entry

“Sharp-witted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sharp-witted. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on sharp-witted

Nglish: Translation of sharp-witted for Spanish Speakers

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