nerdy

adjective

as in intellectual
much given to learning and thinking a fringe party of nerdy political activists who have no chance of getting elected

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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 nerdy These polyester fits have also been parodied in video skits, where comedians put on an all-over polyester print outfit, like a wolf T-shirt and galaxy pants, and parody the stereotypical nerdy kid. — Rachel Hale, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2026 Spider-Man, in his original incarnation, was really just a nerdy teen named Peter Parker who readers could relate to, and the installments starring Holland have replicated that zippy, youthful energy. — David Sims, The Atlantic, 14 Aug. 2026 There will no longer be a need for a nerdy developer with no people skills. — Kiran Kodithala, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026 The duo encourages fans to do the same at upcoming shows in New York, Toronto, Chicago, and Los Angeles this fall—like the friendship bracelet’s nerdy big sister or adult DIY Scholastic Book Fairs. — Selena Fragassi, SPIN, 5 Aug. 2026 But the film overflows with childlike wonder, a comic-strip dream of girls next door and nerdy weirdoes growing muscles with puberty. — Darren Franich, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Aug. 2026 Premiering in 2007, The Big Bang Theory followed a group of nerdy scientists at Caltech. — Keith Langston, PEOPLE, 26 July 2026 For the rest of us that the nerdy reference evaded, Jarvis recently won Atlanta's starting SS job, and manager Walt Weiss won't stop raving about the 25-year-old speedster. — John Laghezza, New York Times, 24 July 2026 Later, another nerdy boy will fall prey to their antics, yet there’s no gruesome violence on sight, only a melancholic and ethereal exorcizing of the demons that plague Emily’s heart. — Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 20 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nerdy
  1. intellectual
  2. cerebral
  3. geeky
  4. scholarly
Adjective
  • The working-out of that vision, by way of experience that arises from her sudden change of circumstances, is the movie’s emotional and intellectual heart, its main line, abstract in form but altogether concrete in the decisions that result.
    — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 19 Aug. 2026
  • The book is notable for its intellectual depth and evocative descriptions of finding and entering the many lakes, as well as the vivid sensory impressions of swimming in each different location.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of intellectual
Adjective
  • The Actor Awards have voter crossover with the Emmys, unlike the Globes and Critics Choice, but The Diplomat is a far more SAG-friendly show than the cerebral Pluribus, which didn’t get an ensemble bid with the guild, unlike The Diplomat.
    — Joyce Eng, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Aug. 2026
  • The autopsy also found Martinez suffered pulmonary and mild cerebral edema, a potentially deadly condition where excess fluid accumulates in the lungs and brain.
    — Perry Vandell, USA Today, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of cerebral
Adjective
  • A bit geeky and has achieved great things in his career, but could probably walk down the street and not be recognised.
    — Tim Spiers, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
  • But even that store is no longer normal, as geeky fights among patrons quickly turn deadly.
    — Michael Schneider, Variety, 24 July 2026
Definition of geeky
Adjective
  • The menu is a scholarly affair, with drinks organized by decade and, beyond that, origin location.
    — Anne Ewbank, Sacbee.com, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Katz is known for a curatorial ethos that places scholarly rigor and popular appeal on equal footing.
    — News Desk, Artforum, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of scholarly

Browse Nearby Words

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nerdy
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Cite this Entry

“Nerdy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nerdy. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

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