literary

adjective

ˈli-tə-ˌrer-ē How to pronounce literary (audio)
Definition of literarynext
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

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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 Despite the prevalent literary theme, the hotel keeps more glossy coffee table books than beach reads. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Oct. 2026 Lakshmana’s literary significance is illustrated through a contrasting temperament with Rama’s. — Tamanna Nangia, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Oct. 2026 With the release of The Cat in the Hat, the iconic character is primed to help the company continue to honor its literary roots and spirit of expansion for the next generation. — Abbey White, HollywoodReporter, 29 Oct. 2026 Aube Rey Lescure is a French-Chinese-American author and editor-in-chief of the literary magazine Off Assignment. — Aube Rey Lescure, Longreads, 29 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for literary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for literary
  1. intellectual
  2. academic
  3. bookish
  4. scholastic
  5. erudite
Adjective
  • This intellectual approach comes through her work at Diotima in similar but different ways.
    — Emily Mercer, Footwear News, 5 Nov. 2026
  • The project would also include 20 homes for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities, retail space and a community park.
    — Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of intellectual
Adjective
  • Many academic researchers publish only a handful of papers each year, seeking scientific discoveries or solutions to everyday problems facing businesses and government agencies.
    — TODD WALLACK THE WASHINGTON POST, Arkansas Online, 8 Nov. 2026
  • Model procedures should provide timely notice, straightforward requests, and alternative assignments without academic penalties.
    — Ilya Shapiro, Washington Post, 8 Nov. 2026
Definition of academic
Adjective
  • But unfortunately the rest of the local bookish community saw that and ran with it.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 5 Nov. 2026
  • There are more cinematic versions of New York City than there are Ray’s Pizzas, but Wes Anderson’s cluttered, bookish version in The Royal Tenenbaums is tough to beat.
    — Debby Wolfinsohn, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of bookish
Adjective
  • Jackson voted in June 2023 to accept a committee recommendation against passing LD 930, legislation seeking to restrict participation in women’s and girls’ scholastic sports.
    — Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 28 Oct. 2026
  • The coming-of-age drama, based on Coffey’s life, follows a high school student with mild cerebral palsy trying to wrestle for the school’s scholastic wrestling team.
    — Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of scholastic
Adjective
  • His Captain Picard on Star Trek was erudite, smart, a man of control and precision.
    — Sean Woods, Rolling Stone, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Among them was Maria Edgeworth, an erudite woman who helped shape how the emerging field of economics reached the wider world.
    — Julia R. Cartwright, Washington Post, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of erudite

Browse Nearby Words

literalness
literary
literate
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Literary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/literary. Accessed 9 Nov. 2026.

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