as in nerds
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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Recent Examples of intellectuals
The backstory Once a late-night hot spot on the boulevard Rochechouart in the 1920s, the former incarnation of the hotel drew in traveling artists, intellectuals, and a smattering of stars.
—
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Apr. 2026
In 2001, Arveláiz organized a high-profile forum at the Sorbonne University in Paris that brought Chávez into direct contact with European intellectuals.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 6 Apr. 2026
In the city, reactions are more mixed within the Arab elite class, causing a rift between the business community and the intellectuals.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 27 Mar. 2026
These movements were led by a broad spectrum of Korean intellectuals and activists.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Mar. 2026
The mix of Byzantine architecture, volcanic landscapes, and community of artists and intellectuals makes a visit here feel like a rare discovery.
—Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 23 Mar. 2026
More than 400 intellectuals and students had demonstrated against the regime in a Capuchin monastery on the outskirts of Barcelona and were surrounded by police for two days.
—Colm Tóibín, The Atlantic, 14 Mar. 2026
As a young woman, Stanton frequently visited her cousin Gerrit Smith, a militant abolitionist and an ally of John Brown, whose house in Peterboro, New York, was a hotbed for radical intellectuals.
—Moira Donegan, New Yorker, 13 Mar. 2026
China’s politicians and intellectuals are embracing the Greek and Roman classics just as the study of these subjects declines in the West.
—J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 10 Mar. 2026
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Apr. 2026
In 2001, Arveláiz organized a high-profile forum at the Sorbonne University in Paris that brought Chávez into direct contact with European intellectuals.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 6 Apr. 2026
In the city, reactions are more mixed within the Arab elite class, causing a rift between the business community and the intellectuals.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 27 Mar. 2026
These movements were led by a broad spectrum of Korean intellectuals and activists.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Mar. 2026
The mix of Byzantine architecture, volcanic landscapes, and community of artists and intellectuals makes a visit here feel like a rare discovery.
—Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 23 Mar. 2026
More than 400 intellectuals and students had demonstrated against the regime in a Capuchin monastery on the outskirts of Barcelona and were surrounded by police for two days.
—Colm Tóibín, The Atlantic, 14 Mar. 2026
As a young woman, Stanton frequently visited her cousin Gerrit Smith, a militant abolitionist and an ally of John Brown, whose house in Peterboro, New York, was a hotbed for radical intellectuals.
—Moira Donegan, New Yorker, 13 Mar. 2026
China’s politicians and intellectuals are embracing the Greek and Roman classics just as the study of these subjects declines in the West.
—J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 10 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for intellectuals
Noun
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And after years of comics being the domain of middle-aged male nerds, the audience for the books is younger and more diverse than before, thanks to Gen Z growing up on non-superhero graphic novels such as Dav Pikey’s Dog Man and the works of Raina Telgemeier.—
Borys Kit,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Apr. 2026
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For space nerds, that's about 15% more power than the SLS rocket's Saturn V predecessor used for the Apollo missions, according to NASA.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Such comes with a 12-game win streak and computer numbers that make even the geeks party on Broadway.—
Noah White,
Miami Herald,
14 Mar. 2026
-
Part sports hangout, part brewpub, The Ram is the sort of wide-net concept that draws families, high school football fans and — back when craft IPAs were cool — even beer geeks.—
Michael Deeds,
Idaho Statesman,
4 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Intellectuals.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/intellectuals. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.
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