knowledge

Definition of knowledgenext

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun knowledge differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of knowledge are erudition, learning, and scholarship. While all these words mean "what is or can be known by an individual or by humankind," knowledge applies to facts or ideas acquired by study, investigation, observation, or experience.

rich in the knowledge of human nature

In what contexts can erudition take the place of knowledge?

While in some cases nearly identical to knowledge, erudition strongly implies the acquiring of profound, recondite, or bookish learning.

an erudition unusual even in a scholar

When would learning be a good substitute for knowledge?

The words learning and knowledge are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, learning applies to knowledge acquired especially through formal, often advanced, schooling.

a book that demonstrates vast learning

Where would scholarship be a reasonable alternative to knowledge?

In some situations, the words scholarship and knowledge are roughly equivalent. However, scholarship implies the possession of learning characteristic of the advanced scholar in a specialized field of study or investigation.

a work of first-rate literary scholarship

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 knowledge Medical knowledge could become more accessible. Sreedhar Potarazu, Baltimore Sun, 20 June 2026 Anaplan will invest in knowledge graph technology. Steve Banker, Forbes.com, 20 June 2026 Today’s newsletter highlights Test your knowledge with our weekly news quiz. Adam Beam, AJC.com, 19 June 2026 Every gas article is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of personal finance products. Kelsey Neubauer, CNBC, 19 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for knowledge
Recent Examples of Synonyms for knowledge
Noun
  • Relationships become a wisdom source.
    USA TODAY, USA Today, 19 June 2026
  • Algorithms identify patterns, but wisdom depends on human insight.
    Andy Busser, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026
Noun
  • Parton, a long-time literacy advocate, created the Imagination Library to give free books to kids and has been working with Reading Ready Pittsburgh for eight years.
    Ross Guidotti, CBS News, 18 June 2026
  • In the nineteenth century, upper class American women who had leisure time and literacy became really into keeping floral calendars to note when wildflowers bloomed.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 18 June 2026
Noun
  • Colorado also provided little funding to promote awareness about gambling addiction and put limited guardrails in place to help people slow their betting habits.
    Noelle Phillips, Denver Post, 18 June 2026
  • Over the past 12 months, consumer awareness of regenerative agriculture has grown from 7% to 13%, according to the new survey, conducted in partnership with Hierophant Insights and Strategy.
    Andrew Watman, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026
Noun
  • Funded by the National Science Foundation, our multidisciplinary team blended our expertise in causal inference, sustainability and cybersecurity, to work on the tangled question of what people do with their consumer electronics when they’re done using them.
    Eric Williams, The Conversation, 18 June 2026
  • Blending live action and animation, the digital shorts pair Pratt’s curiosity and humor with Goodwin’s historical expertise and fact-checking to highlight America’s founding ideals.
    Matt Donnelly, Variety, 18 June 2026
Noun
  • Ramona Burress, a parent and former head of Kenwood’s Local School Council, helped revive the school’s parent fundraising group at the height of COVID, as many families struggled with access to food, housing and technology needed for remote learning.
    Mila Koumpilova, Chicago Tribune, 22 June 2026
  • Alberto Carvalho, who led the nation’s second-largest school district, stepped down Sunday, saying his departure is intended to remove distraction from student learning.
    Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 22 June 2026
Noun
  • Despite Schlossberg's national attention, most current polls show either New York Assemblymembers Alex Bores or Micah Lasher as frontrunners.
    Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 23 June 2026
  • Seek prompt medical attention for deep puncture wounds or wounds contaminated by dirt or debris.
    Faye Chiu, CNN Money, 23 June 2026
Noun
  • As the lore goes, the SCP Foundation is a non-government organization that collects and contains supernatural discoveries.
    Maggie Harrison Dupré, Futurism, 18 June 2026
  • How much of the lore is definitively figured out at this point?
    Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 18 June 2026
Noun
  • Meanwhile, a decline in sudden infant death syndrome could be connected to an increase in education about safe sleeping for infants, Warren said in a statement.
    Mike Stobbe, Los Angeles Times, 22 June 2026
  • With an education and careers, many Parsi women tend to marry later in life – or sometimes not at all – and often have fewer children.
    Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 21 June 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Knowledge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knowledge. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on knowledge

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster