as in learned
suggestive of the vocabulary used in books
the novel's dialogue is a little too literary in flavor to be entirely convincing
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 literary
Four authors quit Rowling’s literary agency In the fallout from Rowling’s TERF manifesto, several authors represented by her literary agency took a stand against the writer by quitting.
—
Quispe López, Them., 30 Oct. 2025
Given the ubiquity of stories and humanity’s vulnerability to them, citizens today would be wise to practice the skills of literary analysis, the very techniques routinely derided and devalued in a world committed to technology and tribalism.
—Elizabeth D. Samet, Foreign Affairs, 29 Oct. 2025
Thea has helped the object of her affection finish a manuscript that, once published, will assure this author both literary glory and a spot at the university.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 29 Oct. 2025
Earlier this week, the influencer took this literary love to the next level, announcing the launch of her new podcast all about books.
—Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for literary
Quispe López, Them., 30 Oct. 2025
Given the ubiquity of stories and humanity’s vulnerability to them, citizens today would be wise to practice the skills of literary analysis, the very techniques routinely derided and devalued in a world committed to technology and tribalism.
—Elizabeth D. Samet, Foreign Affairs, 29 Oct. 2025
Thea has helped the object of her affection finish a manuscript that, once published, will assure this author both literary glory and a spot at the university.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 29 Oct. 2025
Earlier this week, the influencer took this literary love to the next level, announcing the launch of her new podcast all about books.
—Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for literary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for literary
Adjective
-
What made the incident even more striking was that most of Audubon Zoo’s sleepy lizards were bred in captivity, implying the reaction was an innate response instead of learned behavior.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
17 Sep. 2025
-
This kind of trading is seen as a form of learned behavior, where dogs associate a specific action with a reward.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 June 2025
Adjective
-
The petulant, back-stabby intrigue between various parties here sometimes makes the hero rather unsympathetic, with photogenic singer-actor Pena Hernandez’s puppyish turn not conveying a great deal of complexity, let alone artistic o intellectual potential.—
Dennis Harvey,
Variety,
31 Oct. 2025
-
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.—
Dennis Perkins,
Entertainment Weekly,
31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
More than 1,300 academic papers and dozens of books have been published on the topic.—
David Merritt Johns,
The Atlantic,
2 Nov. 2025
-
An Ivy League student accused of making up an entire life story to gain admission was expelled earlier this semester, prompting fresh concerns over academic fraud and gaps in university vetting that experts say could also expose elite institutions to foreign influence and espionage risks.—
Michael Ruiz,
FOXNews.com,
2 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Jennifer’s Body follows two polar opposite best friends, the outgoing Jennifer and bookish Needy (Amanda Seyfried), whose friendship takes a turn when the former embarks on a murderous rampage of her male classmates.—
Natalie Oganesyan,
Deadline,
26 Oct. 2025
-
On platforms like TikTok, Instagram, X and Goodreads, bookish users often tout images of impressive titles and aesthetically pleasing reading setups or monthly reading lists with dozens of books already checked off.—
Angela Yang,
NBC news,
14 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Morris played both baseball and football in high school, and was a scholastic All-State quarterback who reportedly turned down 20 collegiate offers to sign with the Phillies for $25,000 in 1960.—
Jon Paul Hoornstra,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 Oct. 2025
-
For true scholastic style, pair it with penny loafers or Mary Janes.—
Francesca Krempa,
Travel + Leisure,
19 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Without the ball, No 10s must be tactically erudite, recognising pressing triggers set by the striker.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
23 Oct. 2025
-
Hawke renders Hart as the most erudite barfly to buzz around mid-century Manhattan.—
Kyle McGovern,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Literary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/literary. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share