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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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 Her meticulous research and historical erudition are legendary, and her belief in the magic of fashion is unwavering. Laird Borrelli-Persson, Vogue, 30 Apr. 2025 No erudition added to five paragraphs of very carefully worded, almost mollifying, explanation? Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 12 Apr. 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 See All Example Sentences for erudition
Recent Examples of Synonyms for erudition
Noun
  • That requires more than knowledge.
    Dev Patnaik, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
  • HoneyBee Sage aimed to be that space to share knowledge as well as a business prototype for other entrepreneurs interested in herbalism.
    La Risa R. Lynch, jsonline.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • While still remaining a taboo topic in many circles, there is clearly a growing appetite for financial literacy among women.
    Chelsea Fagan, PEOPLE, 6 Sep. 2025
  • One such factor might be the user awareness of AI, gauged by their literacy about AI and the assigning of a magical aura to AI.
    Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • My daughter Celeste earned her undergraduate degree in chemical engineering at Tulane University, supported by merit scholarships and hard work as a server in a restaurant.
    Joyce Marter, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
  • The 183-room boutique hotel is owned by Rollins College, with all net profits going toward funding scholarships for students at the school.
    Jacqueline Dole, Travel + Leisure, 8 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • One of the most important goals is creating a society where everyone can have the ability to succeed through education, hard work, and entrepreneurship.
    Kristen Edgreen Kaufman, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Martin Agran, a University of Wyoming professor who focuses on special education, said the research shows that there’s an overuse of restraint and seclusion.
    IndyStar, IndyStar, 8 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • But neurodivergent children may benefit from specialized learning.
    Suzanne Wright, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025
  • According to Oxford Learning, homework can help improve student achievement, reinforce classroom learning and give parents (and teachers) an opportunity to see where their children are struggling.
    Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Erudition.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/erudition. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

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