bookishness

noun

as in pedantry

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Recent Examples of Synonyms for bookishness
  1. pedantry
  2. reading
Noun
  • One of the most interesting aspects of the history of pedantry is that evolution of its meaning.
    — Clare Bucknell, The New York Review of Books, 27 June 2026
  • Supporters of gender-affirming care say these claims amount to pedantry, as research shows gender-affirming care is associated with improvements in mental health.
    — Bob Herman, STAT, 17 June 2026
Definition of pedantry
Noun
  • According to the ship’s first officer, Schettino wasn’t wearing his reading glasses and repeatedly asked him to check the ship’s radar.
    — Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 11 July 2026
  • The state of Ohio is celebrating America’ssemiquincentennial by offering a statewide reading project that features Toni Morrison’s fictional oeuvre, thus providing a vivid alternative history of the country.
    — Marc Weingarten, Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2026
Definition of reading
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.

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bookish
bookishness
bookkeeper
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Cite this Entry

“Bookishness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bookishness. Accessed 17 Jul. 2026.

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