knowledge

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun knowledge differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of knowledge are erudition, learning, and scholarship. While all these words mean "what is or can be known by an individual or by humankind," knowledge applies to facts or ideas acquired by study, investigation, observation, or experience.

rich in the knowledge of human nature

In what contexts can erudition take the place of knowledge?

While in some cases nearly identical to knowledge, erudition strongly implies the acquiring of profound, recondite, or bookish learning.

an erudition unusual even in a scholar

When would learning be a good substitute for knowledge?

The words learning and knowledge are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, learning applies to knowledge acquired especially through formal, often advanced, schooling.

a book that demonstrates vast learning

Where would scholarship be a reasonable alternative to knowledge?

In some situations, the words scholarship and knowledge are roughly equivalent. However, scholarship implies the possession of learning characteristic of the advanced scholar in a specialized field of study or investigation.

a work of first-rate literary scholarship

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of knowledge In the posts, the VTA said that transit patrol first discovered the RVs at Tamien Station without the agency’s knowledge or authorization. Devan Patel, Mercury News, 13 Oct. 2025 Steve comes to the role with a lot of knowledge from the creative side, working with HBO and several others. Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 13 Oct. 2025 Prodigy was deeply into esoteric knowledge and the paranormal. Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 13 Oct. 2025 This newfound knowledge could also lead to a new way to enhance current drugs. Hannah Millington, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for knowledge
Recent Examples of Synonyms for knowledge
Noun
  • Screenwriter-director Kevin Smith’s low-key musings and loopy wisdom are nicely wrapped with an unaffected sweetness.
    Duane Byrge, HollywoodReporter, 19 Oct. 2025
  • Now, with the perspective of 10 more years, Rhimes revisits that journey with deeper honesty, humor and wisdom.
    Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 18 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The industry offers resources that can help scale AI literacy efforts quickly.
    Dave Smith, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2025
  • Off-field distractions, not to mention a lack of financial literacy, and missed opportunities to invest wisely can hold you back on the field and from building generational wealth.
    Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 15 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • His awareness — and selflessness — played in Daniel Munoz for Palace’s goal.
    Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Heather spoke with Richard Propes, an activist, minister and cancer survivor who invited a crew to document his Tenderness Tour, a wheelchair journey that raises awareness for vulnerable communities.
    Domenica Bongiovanni, IndyStar, 15 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Such expertise requires an innate ability, thousands of hours of practice, and the ability to learn effectively.
    Big Think, Big Think, 18 Oct. 2025
  • Board and supervisory board composition should also reflect the need for broad geopolitical expertise by including individuals with backgrounds in international business, global policy, and diplomatic affairs, to allow for strategic, big-picture thinking.
    Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Developed by AheadForm Technology, the robot offers up to 30 degrees of freedom, powered by a precise control system and an advanced AI learning algorithm.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 15 Oct. 2025
  • The Americans with Disabilities Act, which was updated in 2010, requires schools to provide equal access to programs for students with disabilities and to eliminate barriers to their learning.
    Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 15 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The sequel, set for October 2026, centers on a young Facebook engineer named Frances Haugen (played by Mikey Madison) who teams up with Wall Street Journal reporter Jeff Horwitz (Jeremy Allen White) on a risky mission to bring attention to Facebook’s biggest secrets.
    Kirsten Chuba, HollywoodReporter, 19 Oct. 2025
  • Mamdani is going to be the mayor of their district, of their -- of their city, and that's why there's so much attention on this.
    ABC News, ABC News, 19 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Civilians working in cybersecurity, medical care, weapons systems maintenance, intelligence, and logistics are still working and are not included in Trump’s order to pay active-duty personnel.
    Terry Moseley, USA Today, 16 Oct. 2025
  • An Israeli official told CNN that Israel has shared information, based on its intelligence, on the location of some of the bodies of deceased hostages in Gaza.
    Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • At the same time, alternative education pathways are proving faster, cheaper, and lucrative.
    Preston Fore, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2025
  • The preliminary draft released by state education officials lays out what standards Massachusetts high school students may be required to meet to graduate, replacing the former MCAS standardized testing requirement.
    Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald, 20 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Knowledge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knowledge. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.

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