1
as in geek
a person slavishly devoted to intellectual or academic pursuits
was such a nerd in college that she spent Saturday nights at the library
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2
as in intellectual
a person with strong intellectual interests
an unlikely romance between a nerd and a campus beauty queen
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of nerd
Needless to say, so is every music nerd on the internet considering the band’s most recent album of experimental glitch rap, Year of the Snitch, came out way back in 2018.
—
Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 23 Mar. 2026
But 15-year-old high school speech and debate nerds would catch it right away.
—Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 22 Mar. 2026
Talking to Rachel Zegler can make a musical-theater nerd feel like an insane person.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2026
And while the series typically involves a meal, given Puth’s legendary music nerd-dom, the singer instead took to the piano at the club and showed interviewer Tomás Mier how the songs came together and what his intentions were on the most personal collection he’s released to date.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 19 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for nerd
Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 23 Mar. 2026
But 15-year-old high school speech and debate nerds would catch it right away.
—Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 22 Mar. 2026
Talking to Rachel Zegler can make a musical-theater nerd feel like an insane person.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2026
And while the series typically involves a meal, given Puth’s legendary music nerd-dom, the singer instead took to the piano at the club and showed interviewer Tomás Mier how the songs came together and what his intentions were on the most personal collection he’s released to date.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 19 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for nerd
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nerd
Noun
-
Segel makes Dan a bitterly perceptive geek, out of his depth but eager to prove himself, while Weaving invests Lisa with a snappishness that only camouflages her pain.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Such comes with a 12-game win streak and computer numbers that make even the geeks party on Broadway.—
Noah White,
Miami Herald,
14 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
In the city, reactions are more mixed within the Arab elite class, causing a rift between the business community and the intellectuals.—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
27 Mar. 2026
-
The mix of Byzantine architecture, volcanic landscapes, and community of artists and intellectuals makes a visit here feel like a rare discovery.—
Nicole Kliest,
Vogue,
23 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nerd.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nerd. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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