LITERARY Synonyms: 42 Similar and Opposite Words

literary

adjective

ˈli-tə-ˌrer-ē

Definition of literary

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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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 literary Despite the prevalent literary theme, the hotel keeps more glossy coffee table books than beach reads. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Oct. 2026 Lakshmana’s literary significance is illustrated through a contrasting temperament with Rama’s. — Tamanna Nangia, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Oct. 2026 With the release of The Cat in the Hat, the iconic character is primed to help the company continue to honor its literary roots and spirit of expansion for the next generation. — Abbey White, HollywoodReporter, 29 Oct. 2026 Aube Rey Lescure is a French-Chinese-American author and editor-in-chief of the literary magazine Off Assignment. — Aube Rey Lescure, Longreads, 29 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for literary

Recent Examples of Synonyms for literary

Adjective

But Hamilton craved a broader intellectual tradition for his faith.

— Emma Green, New Yorker, 29 Oct. 2026
At the same time, their societies are also strengthened by their intellectual prowess.

— Mattanjah de Vries, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of intellectual

Adjective

The Brookings paper makes the same argument in academic terms.

— Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
Nancy’s British father, Gerald Cadogan, is an academic and archaeologist, and much of her childhood was spent on excavation sites in Cyprus and Crete.

— Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of academic

Adjective

Celebrities were feeling bookish at Sunday’s Valentino show, as Alessandro Michele’s latest fashion week guest list arrived at the library.

— Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 4 Oct. 2026
In the midst of the festivities, among a crowd of bookish faculty and graduate students, Annie and Wendy convinced an overheated newspaper photographer who’d been sent to cover the event to abandon his turtleneck.

— Robert P. Baird, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of bookish

Adjective

Jackson voted in June 2023 to accept a committee recommendation against passing LD 930, legislation seeking to restrict participation in women’s and girls’ scholastic sports.

— Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 28 Oct. 2026
The coming-of-age drama, based on Coffey’s life, follows a high school student with mild cerebral palsy trying to wrestle for the school’s scholastic wrestling team.

— Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of scholastic

Adjective

His Captain Picard on Star Trek was erudite, smart, a man of control and precision.

— Sean Woods, Rolling Stone, 30 Oct. 2026
Among them was Maria Edgeworth, an erudite woman who helped shape how the emerging field of economics reached the wider world.

— Julia R. Cartwright, Washington Post, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of erudite

Browse Nearby Words

literalness

literary

literate

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“Literary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/literary. Accessed 4 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of literary

adjective

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