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 The dramatic recipe involves equal parts literary ambition, risk-taking, and chutzpah, with a dash of substance abuse, cooked on the high heat of adolescent lust that brings Tony to Provincetown in pursuit of a schoolmate named Nancy (Emilia Jones). — Sheldon Pearce, New Yorker, 7 Aug. 2026 His comedy is more measured and literary than others on this list, but bestselling author and New Yorker/NPR humorist David Sedaris’ live shows always pack ‘em in. — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 7 Aug. 2026 Ellis was the enfant terrible of the ’80s and ’90s literary scene, earning a following with novels about disaffected teens and 20-somethings mixed up in drugs, ennui, and gang rapes. — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 5 Aug. 2026 James Patterson is a literary juggernaut who has written or cowritten more than 200 books; his latest, DELUSIONAL, comes out this month. — New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for literary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for literary
  1. intellectual
  2. academic
  3. bookish
  4. scholastic
  5. erudite
Adjective
  • The nastiness of intellectual disputes, therefore, depends in part on how people frame their positions.
    — Andras Molnar, The Conversation, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Hershiser has enjoyed the intellectual challenge of mastering the mechanics of covering baseball for a TV audience.
    — Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of intellectual
Adjective
  • For students learning online, Darren Harper, the lead academic and enrichment counselor at Crimson Global Academy, says to invest in a quality headset.
    — Adrienne Farr, Parents, 15 Aug. 2026
  • After four years of medical school, plus two more of academic research and clinical rotations, our son Asher was ready to begin his surgical residency at a prominent New York hospital.
    — Allan Ripp, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of academic
Adjective
  • Sophie Pearce is a Welsh travel blogger who has visited Egypt, India and New Zealand on a quest to see magical, historic and bookish destinations.
    — Charlotte Reck, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Campbell recently spoke to PEOPLE exclusively about his appreciation for Gerber’s bookish background.
    — Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of bookish
Adjective
  • Go literal with scholastic motifs, or keep it subtle with bright colors and minimalist designs.
    — Odeya Pinkus, InStyle, 4 Aug. 2026
  • 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
Definition of scholastic
Adjective
  • Like Dante, Nick Tosches was an undaunted character whose tongue-twisting prose was an iconoclastic mash-up of realism and intricate, erudite lyricism.
    — A.D. Amorosi, SPIN, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Prolific author and erudite British import David Thomson has been writing about film for more than six decades.
    — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 24 July 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 17 Aug. 2026.

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