1
as in geeks
a person slavishly devoted to intellectual or academic pursuits
was such a nerd in college that she spent Saturday nights at the library
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in intellectuals
a person with strong intellectual interests
an unlikely romance between a nerd and a campus beauty queen
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of nerds
SmackDown also features the return of Jade Cargill, who has come under fire by nerds online for not defending her WWE Women’s Championship for 70 days.
—
Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
In the world of comedy nerds, Bamford and her work are beyond well known.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 23 Jan. 2026
Consider this a nice reminder, fans, nerds, set dressers, designers, and anyone inclined to write about or reflect on musicians in previous New Yorks.
—Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 22 Jan. 2026
And there are a lot of football nerds there.
—Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 17 Jan. 2026
Good-looking nerds with glamorous jobs, but still nerds.
—Grace Gavilanes, PEOPLE, 14 Jan. 2026
The award for cinematic and box office achievement went to Sinners, so Göransson was able to take the stage on the telecast (as a key member of the creative team of Ryan Coogler’s film), though only music nerds would have been able to ID him.
—Paul Grein, Billboard, 12 Jan. 2026
Joyce nerds will recall Leopold Bloom’s visit to Sweny’s in the Lotos-Eaters episode quite early in Ulysses.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Jan. 2026
After five wild seasons, the series finale of Netflix’s global phenomenon brought the journey of Hawkins’ finest nerds to a dramatic close, vanishing Vecna for good.
—Yohana Desta, Rolling Stone, 4 Jan. 2026
Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
In the world of comedy nerds, Bamford and her work are beyond well known.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 23 Jan. 2026
Consider this a nice reminder, fans, nerds, set dressers, designers, and anyone inclined to write about or reflect on musicians in previous New Yorks.
—Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 22 Jan. 2026
And there are a lot of football nerds there.
—Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 17 Jan. 2026
Good-looking nerds with glamorous jobs, but still nerds.
—Grace Gavilanes, PEOPLE, 14 Jan. 2026
The award for cinematic and box office achievement went to Sinners, so Göransson was able to take the stage on the telecast (as a key member of the creative team of Ryan Coogler’s film), though only music nerds would have been able to ID him.
—Paul Grein, Billboard, 12 Jan. 2026
Joyce nerds will recall Leopold Bloom’s visit to Sweny’s in the Lotos-Eaters episode quite early in Ulysses.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Jan. 2026
After five wild seasons, the series finale of Netflix’s global phenomenon brought the journey of Hawkins’ finest nerds to a dramatic close, vanishing Vecna for good.
—Yohana Desta, Rolling Stone, 4 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nerds
Noun
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For airline geeks and loyal fans of the Emirates brand, the livery was probably the highlight announcement coming from Dubai this week.—
Paula Conway,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
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That calculus mirrors the larger rethink going on among points geeks—and everyday travelers.—
Chris Dong,
Travel + Leisure,
13 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The senatorial careers of these two statesmen illustrate — and clarify — the distinct contributions of intellectuals, purists and thought leaders on one hand and pragmatists, consensus builders and dealmakers on the other.—
John T. Shaw,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Jan. 2026
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Watching all of these intellectuals reconnect, spar about their legacies, and continue to debate the very ideas that brought them together in the first place is a treat for scholars and history buffs.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
26 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nerds.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nerds. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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