as in knowledge
the understanding and information gained from being educated a scientist of impressive erudition but with a down-to-earth manner

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun erudition differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of erudition are knowledge, learning, and scholarship. While all these words mean "what is or can be known by an individual or by humankind," erudition strongly implies the acquiring of profound, recondite, or bookish learning.

an erudition unusual even in a scholar

When might knowledge be a better fit than erudition?

While the synonyms knowledge and erudition are close in meaning, knowledge applies to facts or ideas acquired by study, investigation, observation, or experience.

rich in the knowledge of human nature

When can learning be used instead of erudition?

The meanings of learning and erudition largely overlap; however, learning applies to knowledge acquired especially through formal, often advanced, schooling.

a book that demonstrates vast learning

When could scholarship be used to replace erudition?

In some situations, the words scholarship and erudition are roughly equivalent. However, scholarship implies the possession of learning characteristic of the advanced scholar in a specialized field of study or investigation.

a work of first-rate literary scholarship

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of erudition Indeed, its tonal balance feels of a piece with the playwright’s personality—erudition and prudent attention to identity and representation leavened with irreverent nods to his throat chakra, The Artist’s Way, and teen soaps on The WB. Marley Marius, Vogue, 25 Feb. 2025 Decorated with frescoes, the complex draws inspiration from Greek culture, emphasizing themes of leisure and erudition. Fox News, 18 Jan. 2025 Not everyone’s complexity gets celebrated in its time as erudition. Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 2 Jan. 2025 Horowitz’s erudition, combined with his energy, is a powerful sales tool. Tad Friend, The New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2024 See All Example Sentences for erudition
Recent Examples of Synonyms for erudition
Noun
  • The deal values the club at more than $120 million, a person with knowledge of the terms tells Forbes.
    Brett Knight, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025
  • The fracas broke out when a group of youngsters tried to rob an older, more established group that was selling marijuana on the block, according to a police source with knowledge of the case.
    Kerry Burke, New York Daily News, 11 July 2025
Noun
  • Some adults want their children to develop AI literacy; others see chatbots as a way to indulge young kids’ endless curiosities or engage their creativity.
    Lila Shroff, The Atlantic, 14 July 2025
  • Notably, technological literacy and creative resilience will outpace coding skills in value by 2030.
    Gerui Wang, Forbes.com, 12 July 2025
Noun
  • Nearly all families would qualify to receive scholarships except those making more than three times their area's median income.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 28 June 2025
  • An additional 25% of the donations surpassing $500,000 will go towards establishing a scholarship in Martin's name at his alma mater, Utah Valley University.
    Zoey Lyttle, People.com, 27 June 2025
Noun
  • With the Panthers continuing to build their culture and locker room chemistry, having four rookies with comparable backgrounds and football educations can’t hurt.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 7 July 2025
  • Their subjects spanning different centuries covered education, civil rights, innovation, health care, military conflicts and STEAM — science, technology, engineering, art and math.
    Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 July 2025
Noun
  • Apple spent most of WWDC going over smaller machine learning features, but did not reveal what investors and consumers increasingly want: A sophisticated Siri that can converse fluidly and get stuff done, like making a restaurant reservation.
    Kif Leswing, CNBC, 4 July 2025
  • Free or low-cost learning resources are widely available to them.
    Sarah Hernholm, Forbes.com, 4 July 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Erudition.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/erudition. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on erudition

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!