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
Adjective
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Dunn wanted the property to be used as a scholarly and artistic retreat.—
Mary Divine,
Twin Cities,
7 Jan. 2026 -
Rather than relying on decorative excess, the library’s pietra serena framework underscores its role as a working scholarly space.—
Navya Verma,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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What wasn't being collected are other research observations that are part of every hurricane season, including experiments conducted by NOAA's Hurricane Research Division and its academic partners, who were able to pay their scientists who flew with NOAA during Melissa.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
9 Nov. 2025
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Hann and Bich were strict and monitored not just Jennifer's academic performance, but also her extracurricular activities and social life.—
Jessica Sager,
PEOPLE,
9 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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In a white paper released in October, the committee recommends moving the men’s game, and perhaps the women’s, from the current fall-only schedule to one that covers the entire scholastic year and culminates in an April playoff festival.—
Luke Cyphers,
Sportico.com,
12 Dec. 2025
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But the behavior that needs correcting in this era of billion-dollar-a-year TV contracts and other accelerant revenues is that of shopaholic college administrators, whose expenditures have become so untethered from any scholastic purpose.—
Sally Jenkins,
The Atlantic,
20 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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But if nothing changes, the future of conservative politics will see much of the anti-semitic rhetoric as a badge of intellectual honesty.—
Eli Thompson,
Rolling Stone,
8 Nov. 2025
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With that being said, when Venus squares Pluto, the clash between emotional intensity (Scorpio) and intellectual detachment (Aquarius) is undeniable.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Sure, Pittsburgh Trauma being a teaching hospital naturally lends to scenes of literal instruction, but too often the show pushes past procedural necessity into something distractingly pedantic, even patronizing.—
Nicholas Quah,
Vulture,
6 Jan. 2026
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If only a pedantic stance could ease Americans’ fears that health care coverage will be out of reach for them in 2026.—
Boston Herald editorial staff,
Boston Herald,
20 Dec. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Inkhorn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inkhorn. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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