1
as in cerebral
much given to learning and thinking
as the daughter of college professors, she's used to being around intellectual people
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in internal
of or relating to the mind
intellectual pursuits such as reading and studying
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3
as in educational
of or relating to schooling or learning especially at an advanced level
research that shows that people from very intellectual backgrounds are happiest with spouses having comparable educations
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as in nerd
a person with strong intellectual interests
discovered that in politics a reputation for being an intellectual was regarded as a liability
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in intellect
the ability to learn and understand or to deal with problems
one doesn't need the intellectuality of a rocket scientist to understand the problem
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of intellectual
Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 27 Aug. 2025
Literary criticism is often seen as indispensable to intellectual life, perhaps because the form matches the content.
—Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2025
Deborah Treisman, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2025
For American politicians and intellectuals alike, criticizing Israel’s policies in Gaza and the West Bank or questioning America’s support for Israel has become dangerous, all too often incurring charges of antisemitism.
—Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for intellectual
Adjective
Another weird, intellectual novel makes the list!
—Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 27 Aug. 2025
Literary criticism is often seen as indispensable to intellectual life, perhaps because the form matches the content.
—Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2025
Noun
An intellectual and a poetic soul with a Rhodes Scholarship to Oxford!
—Deborah Treisman, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2025
For American politicians and intellectuals alike, criticizing Israel’s policies in Gaza and the West Bank or questioning America’s support for Israel has become dangerous, all too often incurring charges of antisemitism.
—Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for intellectual
Recent Examples of Synonyms for intellectual
Adjective
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The result is a slowly shifting kaleidoscope of bright, consonant sound, which, with its pointed title, easily digestible concept, and improvisatory spirit, was also a rejection of the cerebral atonality then in vogue.—
William Robin,
New Yorker,
26 Aug. 2025
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Although the man was brain-dead after experiencing a cerebral hemorrhage, the lung survived for nine days.—
Angelica Stabile,
FOXNews.com,
26 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The person, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations, cautioned that the talks were in the early stages and that no proposal has been finalized.—
Alanna Durkin Richer,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Sep. 2025
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The country is also the site of the Western Hemisphere’s longest-running internal armed conflict, and constitutionally requires all men between the ages of 18 and 24 to undertake some form of military service.—
Rebecca Johns,
Miami Herald,
6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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This allows the center's staff to be out in the community presenting educational programs at schools, libraries and other sites every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
26 Aug. 2025
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That does not include presidential pressure on educational institutions, including Columbia University, which paid a $221 million fine to settle the federal government’s claims against it and unfreeze federal funding.—
Naomi Lim,
The Washington Examiner,
25 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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With a high academic bar and military service requirements, the academy’s focus is elsewhere.—
Kyle Newman,
Denver Post,
31 Aug. 2025
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Khanna in an interview reflected that thousands of the program’s graduates pursue community impact initiatives, get awards and encouragement for new startups, and pursue academic advancement.—
Bryan Penprase,
Forbes.com,
31 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Adapted from Bernard-Marie Koltès’s play ‘Black Battles with Dogs’, Denis’ riveting drama gives primacy to her actors – their dialogues expressing inner desires and articulating the broader societal inequities that prevail between those who reside on either side of the fence.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
4 Sep. 2025
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The new plan ended busing for suburban students, while maintaining the practice of busing inner-city Black students into predominantly White county schools.—
Krista Johnson,
Louisville Courier Journal,
4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Translation demands a deep and scholarly knowledge of language, which never feels sufficient.—
The Critic,
Literary Hub,
27 Aug. 2025
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Even period dramas like Little Women or Pride and Prejudice contribute to the hallmarks of the aesthetic, encouraging the use of floral wallpaper, vintage prints, and layered textiles that feel both scholarly and lived-in.—
Elizabeth Fogarty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
23 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Miller is passionate about empowering others by providing information on the connection between physical health, lifestyle choices, and mental well-being.—
Nia Bowers,
USA Today,
4 Sep. 2025
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Working memory is the ability to hold information needed to accomplish complex mental tasks such as learning, reasoning and problem-solving.—
Sandee LaMotte,
CNN Money,
3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
If no shelter is available, crawl to an interior wall away from windows.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
6 Sep. 2025
-
Seek shelter inside an interior room.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
5 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Intellectual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/intellectual. Accessed 6 Sep. 2025.
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