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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in mental
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
Dennis Perkins, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Oct. 2025
For them, the exercise was more intellectual than entrepreneurial.
—Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 31 Oct. 2025
Kathleen Newman-Bremang, Refinery29, 30 Dec. 2025
Weary of war and staring down the likelihood of an unjust peace, Ukrainian intellectuals are plotting out a road map for the future.
—Linda Kinstler, The New York Review of Books, 20 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for intellectual
Adjective
His portrayal of a pompous, yapping intellectual who's rotten to the core rings uncomfortably true, as do the performances of Thatcher and East as their characters nonverbally communicate their discomfort to each other.
—Noun
Think of it as a sleek and uncomfortable time capsule of the past half decade of #MeToo discourse, or as a character study of flawed intellectuals desperately attempting to perform their values while clinging to the facade of their respective identities.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for intellectual
Adjective
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The book was created using a biological, sensual craft, as well as a cerebral one.—
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Much of this lovely, cerebral film unfolds in a cozy Manhattan high-rise, a Christmas tree twinkling in the background as snow falls outside.—
Adjective
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Reconcept uses music paired with specific frequencies tailored to different physical and mental needs.—
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Rusty recognized the severity of the situation and admitted her to a mental hospital.—
Adjective
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Looking ahead, the family hopes to expand Lilo’s brand with educational content for kids, teaching basic concepts like shapes and numbers, while continuing to entertain sports fans around the world.—
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The information provided in this article is for general informational and educational purposes only.—
Noun
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His Peter is the guy in the corner, the one no one remembers was in the room, possibly a former nerd or the watchful child of a tough household.—
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Joyce nerds will recall Leopold Bloom’s visit to Sweny’s in the Lotos-Eaters episode quite early in Ulysses.—
Adjective
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What wasn't being collected are other research observations that are part of every hurricane season, including experiments conducted by NOAA's Hurricane Research Division and its academic partners, who were able to pay their scientists who flew with NOAA during Melissa.—
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Hann and Bich were strict and monitored not just Jennifer's academic performance, but also her extracurricular activities and social life.—
Adjective
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However, the appliance’s internal temperature was too warm at 50 degrees.—
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This Lovevook laptop backpack has multiple internal and external pouches to keep things organized and easily accessible.—
Adjective
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Dunn wanted the property to be used as a scholarly and artistic retreat.—
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Rather than relying on decorative excess, the library’s pietra serena framework underscores its role as a working scholarly space.—
Noun
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Deadline asks the Festival chief whether Series Mania is focused on the highbrow of the drama spectrum.—
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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.—
Cite this Entry
“Intellectual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/intellectual. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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