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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Recent Examples of literary Since opening its doors in 1876, literary lions including Somerset Maugham, Noël Coward, and Graham Greene have helped create the hotel's seductive reputation, which was recently burnished by cameos in the third season of The White Lotus. — Tony Perrottet, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026 The release marks a significant milestone for the studio in a strategic partnership with Almuslim, first announced more than two years ago, aimed at adapting several of his popular literary works into film and television projects. — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 5 Oct. 2026 Religion has harmed many; people fear proselytizing; soul language can sound fuzzy or exclusionary; literary culture prizes the secular and intellectual. — Literary Hub, 5 Oct. 2026 The success of the department comes at a time when Hollywood is increasingly looking to literary adaptations as IP for the next successful show, movie or franchise. — Joe Otterson, Variety, 5 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for literary

Recent Examples of Synonyms for literary

Adjective

For a writer so given to cultural reference, intellectual genealogy, and various explanatory apparatuses, this failure of language is unexpectedly liberating to read.

— Zain Khalid, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2026
But the data gap was particularly glaring for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, potentially missing 75% of the population, according to a recent paper co-authored by CDC statisticians.

— O. Rose Broderick, STAT, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of intellectual

Adjective

Research extends beyond Toyota The new center will also have an academic research role.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 3 Oct. 2026
People who have good self-control often have higher psychological well-being, more academic and on-the-job achievements, and healthier relationships.

— Joan M. Cook, Time, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of academic

Adjective

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
And of course, in a general sense, many inquisitive artists are as bookish as anyone.

— Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of bookish

Adjective

In depicting the highs and lows of a fictional presidential administration — that of erudite, strong-willed Jed Bartlet (Martin Sheen) — Aaron Sorkin’s series pulled in millions of viewers and plenty of awards, including 26 Primetime Emmys.

— Madeline Boardman, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Sep. 2026
Like Dante, Nick Tosches was an undaunted character whose tongue-twisting prose was an iconoclastic mash-up of realism and intricate, erudite lyricism.

— A.D. Amorosi, SPIN, 6 Aug. 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 7 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of literary

adjective

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