inkhorn

adjective

Definition of inkhornnext
as in scholarly
marked by or given to showing knowledge in a showy way The writer apparently thought using a bunch of inkhorn terms would impress the reader and distract from the severely lacking plot.

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for inkhorn
  1. scholarly
  2. academic
  3. scholastic
  4. intellectual
  5. pedantic
Adjective
  • That means regular public access through exhibitions, posted hours, or tours, along with educational programs, lectures, and publications, scholarly research access, and rigorous cataloging.
    — Matthew F. Erskine, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Young told the court about his chaotic upbringing and his recent scholarly pursuits.
    — Julia M. Klein, Los Angeles Times, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of scholarly
Adjective
  • Storer was a student at Concordia University Irvine and a member of the university’s NCAA Division II swim team during the 2024 to 2025 academic school year, according to the team’s roster.
    — Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 8 Aug. 2026
  • According to his campaign website, his priorities include academic excellence, safe and secure schools, improving teacher pay and retention, career readiness and budget transparency.
    — Abigail Hasebroock, Sun Sentinel, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of academic
Adjective
  • Go literal with scholastic motifs, or keep it subtle with bright colors and minimalist designs.
    — Odeya Pinkus, InStyle, 4 Aug. 2026
  • The Union’s move is a small reversal of a decades-long trend away from scholastic sports as a soccer development tool.
    — Sara Germano, Sportico.com, 19 June 2026
Definition of scholastic
Adjective
  • Living with the uncertainty about what the future might hold was exciting, overwhelming, an intellectual challenge as well as an emotional one.
    — Annie Karni, Vogue, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Her accomplishments reflect the creativity, intellectual curiosity, and ambition that define Rutgers graduates, and her connection to New Jersey makes this recognition especially meaningful.
    — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of intellectual
Adjective
  • The best tended to use puns, literalization — turning an idiom into reality — and pedantic humor to delight and torment children in equal measures.
    — Lindsey Bever, Washington Post, 21 June 2026
  • In the context of a smartphone, this distinction can feel a little pedantic.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 June 2026
Definition of pedantic
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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inked
inkhorn
inking
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Cite this Entry

“Inkhorn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inkhorn. Accessed 10 Aug. 2026.

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