as in learned
suggestive of the vocabulary used in books
the novel's dialogue is a little too literary in flavor to be entirely convincing
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Recent Examples of literary
James Magnuson, the Austin author who helped put the Michener Center for Writers at the University of Texas on the literary map, died Sunday of complications from ALS.
—
Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 20 Jan. 2026
Adventure Media has hired literary manager Aubrey Morgan.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 20 Jan. 2026
The literary novel of today is quite free from conventional storytelling, and ironically (irony is one of his specialties), Barnes got busy loosening the bonds early in his career.
—Will Gottsegen, The Atlantic, 18 Jan. 2026
Next weekend also sees the releases of Return to Silent Hill, another foreboding adaptation of lore from the beloved video game franchise, and the literary adaptation H is For Hawk, starring Claire Foy.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 18 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for literary
Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 20 Jan. 2026
Adventure Media has hired literary manager Aubrey Morgan.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 20 Jan. 2026
The literary novel of today is quite free from conventional storytelling, and ironically (irony is one of his specialties), Barnes got busy loosening the bonds early in his career.
—Will Gottsegen, The Atlantic, 18 Jan. 2026
Next weekend also sees the releases of Return to Silent Hill, another foreboding adaptation of lore from the beloved video game franchise, and the literary adaptation H is For Hawk, starring Claire Foy.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 18 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for literary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for literary
Adjective
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What made the incident even more striking was that most of Audubon Zoo’s sleepy lizards were bred in captivity, implying the reaction was an innate response instead of learned behavior.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
17 Sep. 2025
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This kind of trading is seen as a form of learned behavior, where dogs associate a specific action with a reward.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 June 2025
Adjective
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When reading transfer essays, admissions officers are looking for maturity, purpose, and intellectual curiosity.—
Christopher Rim,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
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Here, too, DaCosta’s reconfiguration of Ibsen, by making Hedda Gabler’s former lover (and her husband’s main professional rival) a woman, and by greatly expanding that role, offers Nina Hoss a showcase for intellectual passion and romantic frenzy.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
22 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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When boys are asked to show up consistently for real people, academic readiness and emotional readiness develop side by side.—
Dr. Liz Doe Stone,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
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Meyer studied international relations with a minor in history, and she was named to the PAC-12’s academic honor roll twice.—
Caelyn Pender,
Mercury News,
26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Daeron Targaryen Daeron Targaryen, otherwise known as Daeron the Drunkard, is a bookish and melancholy Targaryen prince known for his prophetic dreams.—
Skyler Trepel,
PEOPLE,
19 Jan. 2026
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There’s no shortage of young women making confessional, wry pop music these days, but Hobert has carved out her own lane with a bookish persona and shrewdly specific lyrics bound in tidy and broadly appealing pop songs.—
Carrie Battan,
Vulture,
15 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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In a white paper released in October, the committee recommends moving the men’s game, and perhaps the women’s, from the current fall-only schedule to one that covers the entire scholastic year and culminates in an April playoff festival.—
Luke Cyphers,
Sportico.com,
12 Dec. 2025
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But the behavior that needs correcting in this era of billion-dollar-a-year TV contracts and other accelerant revenues is that of shopaholic college administrators, whose expenditures have become so untethered from any scholastic purpose.—
Sally Jenkins,
The Atlantic,
20 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Put on the costume, wear the expression, slip on the spectacles, and present yourself as erudite.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 Jan. 2026
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An extended farewell, an author’s valedictory flourish, the whole package is a culmination of sorts, shimmering with his silky, erudite prose; beneath the suave surface is an earnest investigation into the mysterious ways of the human heart.—
Will Gottsegen,
The Atlantic,
18 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Literary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/literary. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.
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