intellectualism

noun

in·​tel·​lec·​tu·​al·​ism ˌin-tə-ˈlek-chə-wə-ˌli-zəm How to pronounce intellectualism (audio)
-chə-ˌli-,
-shwə-ˌli-,
-chü(-ə)-ˌli-
: devotion to the exercise of intellect or to intellectual pursuits
intellectualist
ˌin-tə-ˈlek-chə-wə-list How to pronounce intellectualism (audio)
-chə-list
-shwə-list
-chü(-ə)-list
noun or adjective
intellectualistic
ˌin-tə-ˌlek-chə-wə-ˈli-stik How to pronounce intellectualism (audio)
-chə-ˈli-
-shwə-ˈli-
-chü(-ə)-ˈli-
adjective

Examples of intellectualism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
But few people think of pop-music critics as pillars of American intellectualism, and even fewer think of pop stars as an endangered species. Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2025 Where Kennedy saw a dynamic future in science and exploration, the current presidential administration is laser-focused on deregulation, anti-intellectualism, privatization and a retreat from global cooperative economic and foreign policy agreements. Leah M. Wright, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2025 Jude is an erudite man of the people whose hyper-literate intellectualism is only matched by his Chaucer-like vulgarity, and his work has long reveled in an impish fascination with the relationship between art, labor, and technology. David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 11 Aug. 2025 Just look at Kayvon Thibodeaux, who entered the league not just as a top edge rusher but as an entrepreneur and cultural commentator—launching a crypto literacy initiative during his draft campaign and openly challenging narratives around Black athletes and intellectualism. Jeetendr Sehdev, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for intellectualism

Word History

First Known Use

1800, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of intellectualism was in 1800

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Intellectualism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/intellectualism. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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