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intellectualism

noun
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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- \

Definition of intellectualism

: devotion to the exercise of intellect or to intellectual pursuits
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Other Words from intellectualism

intellectualist \ ˌin-​tə-​ˈlek-​chə-​wə-​list How to pronounce intellectualist (audio) , -​chə-​list , -​shwə-​list , -​chü(-​ə)-​list \ noun or adjective
intellectualistic \ ˌin-​tə-​ˌlek-​chə-​wə-​ˈli-​stik How to pronounce intellectualistic (audio) , -​chə-​ˈli-​ , -​shwə-​ˈli-​ , -​chü(-​ə)-​ˈli-​ \ adjective

Examples of intellectualism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Symbolized by the Water Bearer, Aquarius is known for eccentricity, intellectualism, and humanitarianism. — Erika W. Smith, refinery29.com, "This Aquarius Season, Everyone Gets Weird," 17 Jan. 2020 Stanford was an institute of higher learning that had never been committed to an abstract intellectualism but had long pursued connections to private industry. — Kim Phillips-fein, The New Republic, "The Failed Political Promise of Silicon Valley," 27 Sep. 2019 His work is cherished by regional theaters, small theaters and especially college theaters, which dig his funny intellectualism. — Christopher Arnott, courant.com, "Review: ‘The Plot’ at Yale Rep is a blistering but funny drama about death and business," 10 Dec. 2019 Kanye comes from black intellectualism and black excellence. — Gerrick D. Kennedy, chicagotribune.com, "Commentary: Kanye West preaches a message of love and faith on ‘Jesus Is King.’ Too bad about the messenger.," 29 Oct. 2019 Appealing to those viewers means flattering their sense of intellectualism. — Amanda Hess, New York Times, "This Is the Moment Rachel Maddow Has Been Waiting For," 1 Oct. 2019 The winds of populism, anti-intellectualism and virulent nationalism have shaken the devotees of Aspen. — The Economist, "Inside Aspen: the mountain retreat for the liberal elite," 11 Oct. 2019 The message-board intellectualism that might once have impressed V.C. observers like Graham has developed into an intellectual style all its own. — Anna Wiener, The New Yorker, "The Lonely Work of Moderating Hacker News," 8 Aug. 2019 Far before this election, before any of this happened, the war on intellectualism has been in full swing. — Chuck Yarborough, cleveland.com, "Bad Religion revels in being ‘the thinking man’s punk band,’ with new album ‘Age of Unreason’ and Agora date," 6 Aug. 2019

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.

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First Known Use of intellectualism

1800, in the meaning defined above

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The first known use of intellectualism was in 1800

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Last Updated

1 Feb 2020

Cite this Entry

“Intellectualism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/intellectualism. Accessed 26 Feb. 2020.

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More from Merriam-Webster on intellectualism

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for intellectualism

Spanish Central: Translation of intellectualism

Nglish: Translation of intellectualism for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about intellectualism

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