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It’s no hot take to say that the original pundits were highly learned scholars and teachers in India; it’s just a statement of fact. Our English word pundit comes from the Hindi word paṇḍit, a term of respect (and sometimes an honorary title) for a wise person, especially one with knowledge of philosophy, religion, and law; its ultimate source is the Sanskrit word paṇḍita, meaning “learned.” English speakers have used pundit to refer to sages of India since the 1600s, but as is typically done with English, they eventually pushed the word into new semantic territory. By the late 1800s, pundit could also refer to a member of what is sometimes called the commentariat or punditocracy—that is, the collective group of political commentators, financial analysts, and newspaper columnists often paid to share their views on a variety of subjects.
Examples of pundit in a Sentence
David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 25 Feb. 2026
There doesn't appear to be a consensus among the pundits on the second pick behind Mendoza, who reportedly isn't going to throw at the combine but will at Indiana's pro day on April 1 just 50 miles from Indianapolis.
—ABC News, 25 Feb. 2026
Sky Sports pundit and former England and Tottenham midfielder Jamie Redknapp suggested that Eze’s inconsistencies this season haven’t been completely his fault.
—Rob Tanner, New York Times, 24 Feb. 2026
Actors and pundits on both sides of the Atlantic have weighed in with many expressing anger and disappointment.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 23 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pundit
Cite this Entry
“Pundit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pundit. Accessed 4 Mar. 2026.
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