intellectualism

noun in·tel·lec·tu·al·ism \ ˌin-tə-ˈlek-chə-wə-ˌli-zəm , -chə-ˌli- , -shwə-ˌli- , -chü(-ə)-ˌli- \

Updated on: 13 Apr 2018

Definition of intellectualism

: devotion to the exercise of intellect or to intellectual pursuits

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intellectualist

play \ˌin-tə-ˈlek-chə-wə-list, -chə-list, -shwə-list, -chü(-ə)-list\ noun or adjective

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intellectualistic

play \ˌin-tə-ˌlek-chə-wə-ˈli-stik, -chə-ˈli-, -shwə-ˈli-, -chü(-ə)-ˈli-\ adjective

Recent Examples of intellectualism from the Web

Fujimori mocked and attacked Vargas Llosa relentlessly, drawing attention to his agnosticism, his international connections, his earnest intellectualism and his racy novels.

— marcela valdes, New York Times, "The Elder Statesman of Latin American Literature — and a Writer of Our Moment," 20 Feb. 2018
In the current climate of anti-intellectualism, Presidents’ Day provides a valuable opportunity to reaffirm the deep connections between higher education and democracy and the efforts of U.S. presidents in support of our colleges and universities.

— jonathan green, Washington Post, "The higher education legacy of our presidents — and how to carry that forward," 19 Feb. 2018
The aspects of his temperament held up for mockery — the hyper-intellectualism, the snobbery, the irreducible Jewishness — doubled as weapons of seduction.

— a. o. scott, New York Times, "My Woody Allen Problem," 31 Jan. 2018
Unfortunately for Ivanka, anti-intellectualism is just one obstacle in her flawed quest to influence her father’s policies for her own financial and social benefit.

— lucy diavolo, Teen Vogue, "Top Takeaways From Michael Wolff’s “Fire And Fury”," 9 Jan. 2018
These air signs are the aesthetes of the zodiac: Ruled by Venus, the planet that governs love, beauty, and money, Libras adore high art, intellectualism, and connoisseurship.

— aliza kelly faragher, Allure, "The Personality of a Libra, Explained," 2 Feb. 2018
In Wolff’s book, aides are constantly working to inform and guide a president who can’t accept intellectualism in favor of sensationalism.

— lucy diavolo, Teen Vogue, "Top Takeaways From Michael Wolff’s “Fire And Fury”," 9 Jan. 2018
Among other goals, the library was seeking to make its flagship more public friendly, a fuzzy term that can serve as a fig leaf for anti-intellectualism.

— manohla dargis, New York Times, "Review: We the (Library-Card Carrying) People of ‘Ex Libris’," 12 Sep. 2017
Such lofty intellectualism is refreshing in an industry driven by sensory delight.

— A-LIST, "Serious Disruptions," 24 Dec. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'intellectualism.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.