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 effects of his revolution on the party and its ability to govern are far greater than many intellectuals, politicians, and staffers seem to grasp.
—
Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 26 May 2026
Consequently, teleSUR often manages to obtain firsthand information from a representative network of nongovernmental organizations, political parties, unions, intellectuals, human rights defenders, and minorities, among others.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 May 2026
Huxley might easily have written a simpler novel glorifying intellectuals while mocking Stoyte’s greed and indifference to suffering.
—Literary Hub, 21 May 2026
There's a lot of talk about the Cubans and exiles and civil society outside of Cuba, but Luis Manuel is basically reminding everybody that there is this civil society inside of Cuba, that there are intellectuals and thinkers and artists and writers who are really trying to get change done in Cuba.
—Dana Taylor, USA Today, 14 May 2026
In the 19th century, these estates drew English and American poets, artists, and intellectuals, who would meet and exchange ideas amid all this natural beauty.
—Laura Itzkowitz, Travel + Leisure, 1 May 2026
In recent weeks, politicians, activists, and intellectuals have published articles and issued statements warning of Cuba’s humanitarian crisis.
—Carlos Manuel Alvarez, Time, 24 Apr. 2026
The purchase seems preordained, given that both Gert-Jan and Corinne, like Pascon and Boccara, are lively and curious intellectuals.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
In it, a group of Catholic intellectuals discussed a new school opening in Steubenville, Ohio.
—Emma Green, New Yorker, 17 Apr. 2026
Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 26 May 2026
Consequently, teleSUR often manages to obtain firsthand information from a representative network of nongovernmental organizations, political parties, unions, intellectuals, human rights defenders, and minorities, among others.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 May 2026
Huxley might easily have written a simpler novel glorifying intellectuals while mocking Stoyte’s greed and indifference to suffering.
—Literary Hub, 21 May 2026
There's a lot of talk about the Cubans and exiles and civil society outside of Cuba, but Luis Manuel is basically reminding everybody that there is this civil society inside of Cuba, that there are intellectuals and thinkers and artists and writers who are really trying to get change done in Cuba.
—Dana Taylor, USA Today, 14 May 2026
In the 19th century, these estates drew English and American poets, artists, and intellectuals, who would meet and exchange ideas amid all this natural beauty.
—Laura Itzkowitz, Travel + Leisure, 1 May 2026
In recent weeks, politicians, activists, and intellectuals have published articles and issued statements warning of Cuba’s humanitarian crisis.
—Carlos Manuel Alvarez, Time, 24 Apr. 2026
The purchase seems preordained, given that both Gert-Jan and Corinne, like Pascon and Boccara, are lively and curious intellectuals.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
In it, a group of Catholic intellectuals discussed a new school opening in Steubenville, Ohio.
—Emma Green, New Yorker, 17 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for intellectuals
Noun
-
Drama of the nerds and the geniuses.—
Bethanne Patrick,
Los Angeles Times,
1 June 2026
-
SpaceX has been blowing up Starship rockets left and right, and the space nerds seem to be cheering them on.—
Eric Berger,
ArsTechnica,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
Heaven to the geeks and superfans in the balcony.—
Rebecca Alter,
Vulture,
3 June 2026
-
Hyatt Regency Lake Washington Budding aviators, plane geeks and those looking for any type of airport job can get a sneak peek without even booking an airline ticket.—
Ramsey Qubein,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Intellectuals.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/intellectuals. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
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