1
as in cerebral
much given to learning and thinking
as the daughter of college professors, she's used to being around intellectual people
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2
as in internal
of or relating to the mind
intellectual pursuits such as reading and studying
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3
as in educational
of or relating to schooling or learning especially at an advanced level
research that shows that people from very intellectual backgrounds are happiest with spouses having comparable educations
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as in nerd
a person with strong intellectual interests
discovered that in politics a reputation for being an intellectual was regarded as a liability
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of intellectual
Valerie Mesa, People.com, 29 May 2025
Use it to stretch your intellectual and emotional muscles in low-stakes settings.
—Gerald Bradshaw, Chicago Tribune, 27 May 2025
Nectar Gan, CNN Money, 12 May 2025
Now is not the time to admit to these problems, leaders—from Democratic Party officials to C.E.O.s, intellectuals, university presidents, and newspaper editors—had advised, for years, because this is an emergency.
—Jill Lepore, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for intellectual
Adjective
This surge of intellectual energy will not only inspire a flurry of thoughts but also unlock new perspectives in the process.
—Valerie Mesa, People.com, 29 May 2025
Use it to stretch your intellectual and emotional muscles in low-stakes settings.
—Gerald Bradshaw, Chicago Tribune, 27 May 2025
Noun
Coming from an impoverished family, Ding eagerly took part in public humiliation rallies against teachers, intellectuals, government officials and others labeled as enemies of Mao’s vision.
—Nectar Gan, CNN Money, 12 May 2025
Now is not the time to admit to these problems, leaders—from Democratic Party officials to C.E.O.s, intellectuals, university presidents, and newspaper editors—had advised, for years, because this is an emergency.
—Jill Lepore, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for intellectual
Recent Examples of Synonyms for intellectual
Adjective
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The cerebral crowd attended lectures on topics such as the Italian sculptor Bernini.—
Fran Golden,
AFAR Media,
29 May 2025
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With Mercury in its sign of rulership, Gemini, the mercurial effects become strengthened, as the messenger planet is all the more curious, adaptable and savvy when transiting this cerebral Air sign.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
29 May 2025
Adjective
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Throughout previous disruptions, maintaining open communication channels with staff and clearly articulating our strategies has proven invaluable, strengthening internal morale and external trust.—
Dmitriy Schwarzburg,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
-
Republican ranks showed signs of internal division.—
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 May 2025
Noun
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Fuller, like many a brilliant nerd, was initially awkward with her peers.—
James Marcus,
New Yorker,
2 June 2025
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Most of us would settle for Lucozade and a duvet on the settee, but Howe is Newcastle’s king nerd.—
George Caulkin,
New York Times,
29 May 2025
Adjective
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The following Naperville residents have completed college/university degrees or have been named to their school’s dean’s list, honor roll or similar academic achievement list. Names, degrees and honors appear below as provided by the respective schools.—
Naperville Sun,
Chicago Tribune,
6 June 2025
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Nearly one million Florida students missed more than three weeks of school last year, a staggering number of chronically absent children undermining their academic success.—
Steven Walker,
The Orlando Sentinel,
5 June 2025
Adjective
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Check The Care Label Duvets can be made from a variety of materials, both in outer shell and inner filling, so your first step before washing should always be to check the tag from the manufacturer for specific care instructions.—
Abigail Wilt,
Southern Living,
31 May 2025
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Atherton High School’s colors are then used for the white sneaker’s maroon and gold accents, and the number 80 on the inner tongue appears to be an homage to Ronaldinho.—
Ian Servantes,
Footwear News,
30 May 2025
Noun
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Deadline asks the Festival chief whether Series Mania is focused on the highbrow of the drama spectrum.—
Stewart Clarke,
Deadline,
6 Mar. 2025
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Wagner would be a sleepless highbrow’s favorite; the long, lush, unbroken lines of music share with the white-noise hum of the air-conditioner or the thrum of the painstaking lecture the quality of being absorbing without offering undue eventfulness.—
Adam Gopnik,
The New Yorker,
20 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Articles appear in scholarly journals, and books are published by university presses, only after a rigorous, double-blind review process.—
James T. Kloppenberg,
Time,
28 May 2025
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Her scholarly work includes works on the Constitution, democracy in America and women’s citizenship.—
Imani Cruzen,
Twin Cities,
20 May 2025
Adjective
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This definition also includes instance in which the victim is incapable of giving consent because of temporary or permanent mental or physical incapacity (include due to the influence of drugs or alcohol) or because of age.—
Baltimore Sun staff,
Baltimore Sun,
11 Apr. 2025
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The World Health Organization defines burnout as an occupational phenomenon which is characterized by feelings of energy depletion, increased mental distance from one's job, and reduced professional efficacy.—
Daniel R. Depetris,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Intellectual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/intellectual. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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