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
Turtlenecks and flannels abound, teens vocally question authority at every turn, and a colorful cast of intellectuals pepper the scene.
—
Erin Qualey, Vulture, 9 Mar. 2026
Other Jewish intellectuals who don’t live in Germany say they have been shunned from coming.
—Shira Li Bartov, Sun Sentinel, 9 Mar. 2026
In the years following Deng Xiaoping’s turn toward a capitalist economy, some Chinese intellectuals felt a kind of spiritual malaise; Deng’s reforms had failed to provide moral direction for a vast and proud former empire.
—Chang Che, New Yorker, 8 Mar. 2026
More to Explore In this environment, some activists and intellectuals adopted bikes as part of a resistance to car-centric capitalist modernism.
—Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 5 Mar. 2026
While the game remained popular among the elite its ornate imagery also continued to fascinate artists and intellectuals, laying the groundwork for symbolic interpretations.
—Literary Hub, 26 Feb. 2026
During the early to mid-20th century, Du Bois, based at what is now Clark Atlanta University, was among the most respected intellectuals in America.
—Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 23 Feb. 2026
During both of his terms in office, Obama made extensive use of drone strikes in the pursuit of American military objectives in Afghanistan and the Middle East, leading to debate among Norwegian politicians and intellectuals about whether the prize had been a mistake.
—Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 15 Feb. 2026
As Derya and Aziz’s hypocrisies, as upper-class intellectuals, are increasingly brought to the fore, Namal and Biçer’s conversational performances grow haggard and strained.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 13 Feb. 2026
Erin Qualey, Vulture, 9 Mar. 2026
Other Jewish intellectuals who don’t live in Germany say they have been shunned from coming.
—Shira Li Bartov, Sun Sentinel, 9 Mar. 2026
In the years following Deng Xiaoping’s turn toward a capitalist economy, some Chinese intellectuals felt a kind of spiritual malaise; Deng’s reforms had failed to provide moral direction for a vast and proud former empire.
—Chang Che, New Yorker, 8 Mar. 2026
More to Explore In this environment, some activists and intellectuals adopted bikes as part of a resistance to car-centric capitalist modernism.
—Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 5 Mar. 2026
While the game remained popular among the elite its ornate imagery also continued to fascinate artists and intellectuals, laying the groundwork for symbolic interpretations.
—Literary Hub, 26 Feb. 2026
During the early to mid-20th century, Du Bois, based at what is now Clark Atlanta University, was among the most respected intellectuals in America.
—Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 23 Feb. 2026
During both of his terms in office, Obama made extensive use of drone strikes in the pursuit of American military objectives in Afghanistan and the Middle East, leading to debate among Norwegian politicians and intellectuals about whether the prize had been a mistake.
—Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 15 Feb. 2026
As Derya and Aziz’s hypocrisies, as upper-class intellectuals, are increasingly brought to the fore, Namal and Biçer’s conversational performances grow haggard and strained.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 13 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for intellectuals
Noun
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Featuring both ancient and modern books from all over the world, this collection is perfect for museum fans and book nerds alike.—
Gaby Iori
March 3,
Literary Hub,
3 Mar. 2026
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With the help of her best friend Tatum (Rose McGowan), boyfriend Billy (Skeet Ulrich), and cine-literate nerds Randy (Jamie Kennedy) and Stu (Matthew Lillard), Sidney sets out to determine who’s behind the mask.—
Declan Gallagher,
Entertainment Weekly,
3 Mar. 2026
Noun
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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
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Saturday’s gems put the 7,000-student private school in North Carolina in the spotlight as stat geeks pored through record books to see when — or if — a school ever had two pitching performances of such magnitude occur on the same day.—
Eric Olson,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Intellectuals.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/intellectuals. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
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