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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 Despite handwringing from the powers that be, genre defenders argued that was a literary history behind Sky of Love and its contemporaries. — Literary Hub, 13 July 2026 This is the more rumanitive of our picks today; one of just a couple literary adaptations in a sea of action and adventure. — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026 Take, for example, the popularity of Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke and similar tradwife literary fiction. — Ashley Winstead, PEOPLE, 11 July 2026 Schabel’s follow-up, the literary adaptation Before Night Falls (2000), also premiered in Venice, winning a special Jury Prize and the Best Actor Silver Lion for lead Javier Bardem, who would go on to secure a Best Actor Oscar nom for the same role. — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 10 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for literary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for literary
  1. learned
  2. intellectual
  3. academic
  4. bookish
  5. scholastic
  6. erudite
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
Definition of learned
Adjective
  • Neill is great at balancing the aggro energy of Zane with his intellectual, compassionate style.
    — Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 14 July 2026
  • Alzheimer’s is a progressive brain disorder that leads to memory loss and other intellectual inabilities.
    — Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 14 July 2026
Definition of intellectual
Adjective
  • The 2026 World Cup has shone a spotlight on academic spaces being at the heart of the craze and fandom for Argentina in Bangladesh.
    — Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 19 July 2026
  • In 2021, Brouillette pursued a certification to become a professional firefighter through a program at Southern Maine Community College, which required both academic classes and field exercises, according to court documents.
    — Curt Devine, CNN Money, 18 July 2026
Definition of academic
Adjective
  • The Album, Bryce Savage’s not-so-bookish gurglefest about femme fatales.
    — Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 25 June 2026
  • Daeron Targaryen Daeron Targaryen, otherwise known as Daeron the Drunkard, is a bookish and melancholy Targaryen prince known for his prophetic dreams.
    — Skyler Trepel, PEOPLE, 22 June 2026
Definition of bookish
Adjective
  • The Union’s move is a small reversal of a decades-long trend away from scholastic sports as a soccer development tool.
    — Sara Germano, Sportico.com, 19 June 2026
  • Her work — rooted in teaching, scholastic research and mentoring — is continually focused on advancing social, racial and economic equity in secondary education classrooms.
    — Larry D. Urish, Oc Register, 3 June 2026
Definition of scholastic
Adjective
  • Original host Dave Garroway was an erudite guide who shaped the mix of news, lifestyle and human interest stories that still define morning news programs.
    — Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 10 June 2026
  • The work of the reclusive, forbiddingly erudite author turns out to be perfect easy-listening material.
    — Namara Smith, New Yorker, 10 June 2026
Definition of erudite

Browse Nearby Words

literalness
literary
literate
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Cite this Entry

“Literary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/literary. Accessed 20 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of literary for Spanish Speakers

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