POLYMATH Synonyms: 110 Similar and Opposite Words

polymath 1 of 2

noun

Definition of polymath

as in genius

formal someone who knows a lot about many different things She is rightly regarded as something of a polymath in her extensive knowledge of all the earth sciences.

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polymath

2 of 2

adjective

variants or polymathic

as in erudite

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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 polymath

Noun

Lambert's problem was first posed all the way back in the 1700s by the Swiss polymath Johann Heinrich Lambert, who pondered how to find the optimal trajectory between two moving objects. — Keith Cooper, Space.com, 19 May 2026 In fact, the German naturalist and polymath has been described as the person with more species – from penguins and monkeys to an orchid – and places named after him than any other human. — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 17 Apr. 2026 That suspect is the reclusive polymath Nick Szabo who ticks all of the same boxes as Back and whose initials are conveniently the inverse of Satoshi Nakamoto. — Jeff John Roberts, Fortune, 8 Apr. 2026 Potter and artistic polymath Kawai Kanjiro was a key figure in the 20th-century Mingei folk art movement. — Jessica Kozuka, Travel + Leisure, 3 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for polymath

Recent Examples of Synonyms for polymath

Noun

Season 2 will once again explore the complicated friendship between pickpocketing genius Gabriel (Lucas Leach) and Penelope (Carmel Laniado), who is the daughter of Crookhaven School headmaster Caspian Lockett (Dougray Scott).

— Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 7 July 2026
There’s a lot of genius masterminds working on that right now for season two, and I have not been told one way or another.

— Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 7 July 2026

Definition of genius

Adjective

Original host Dave Garroway was an erudite guide who shaped the mix of news, lifestyle and human interest stories that still define morning news programs.

— Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 10 June 2026
The work of the reclusive, forbiddingly erudite author turns out to be perfect easy-listening material.

— Namara Smith, New Yorker, 10 June 2026

Definition of erudite

Noun

Just two weeks after Bob Dylan guitarist Doug Lancio vanished from the tour and was replaced by jazz virtuoso Julian Lage, Bob Britt — who has played guitar in Dylan’s band since 2019 — has apparently left the group as well.

— Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 29 June 2026
He was widely celebrated as a virtuoso who nurtured America’s economic well-being and whose nearly every utterance was parsed for clues as to where interest rates, the economy and the financial markets might be headed.

— Paul Wiseman, Fortune, 22 June 2026

Definition of virtuoso

Noun

The books about the life of a young wizard were adapted into a movie series that debuted in 2001 with Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint.

— Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 1 July 2026
After climbing the Azkaban Escape Tower to the top, repel-style, young wizards-in-training, Clark and Emily Friscia, were ready to go home.

— Greg Harutunian, Chicago Tribune, 29 June 2026

Definition of wizard

Noun

Classical thinkers used it to describe the capacity to feel a powerful impulse and choose not to act on it.

— Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026
Tradition of separation The idea of separate spheres of spiritual and secular functions and authority was advanced by religious and secular thinkers to benefit both religion and the state.

— Steven K. Green, The Conversation, 2 July 2026

Definition of thinker

Adjective

Both public school districts continue to outperform the state of Florida average testing marks for most academic subject and skill tests.

— Austin Horn July 3, Miami Herald, 3 July 2026
Using basic academic terminology would place grants at risk of rejection or termination on political grounds.

— ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 2 July 2026

Definition of academic

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Style

“Polymath.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/polymath. Accessed 11 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of polymath

noun

adjective

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