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

For the 20th season, a callback to her first-ever tagline and also her greatest catchphrase is pretty genius.

— Brian Moylan, Vulture, 17 July 2026
This is a lovely book about opera, music, 19th-century Vienna, and the psychology of genius.

— Diana Arterian, Literary Hub, 16 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

Adjective

Anybody who is as literate and thoughtful as Tyler is inspires me.

— Marissa R. Moss, Rolling Stone, 15 July 2026
Older workers may want to adopt a two-pronged approach to adapting in today's labor force — becoming AI-literate while also doubling down on soft skills, Salemi said.

— Lorie Konish, CNBC, 13 July 2026

Definition of literate

Noun

Their quest pits them against wizards, monsters, dragons, and a sinister conspiracy in a lighthearted fantasy adventure inspired by the tabletop RPG.

— Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026
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

Definition of wizard

Adjective

Befitting his scholarly bent, Bouaddi shunned a lot of the distractions that attracted the attention of his contemporaries.

— Tom Williams, New York Times, 9 July 2026
These collective actions are crucial to safeguard scholarly inquiry and faculty independence against political interference.

— Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026

Definition of scholarly

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

Students can proactively bridge this gap by prioritizing practical skills employers demand, beyond just academic grades.

— Sarah Hernholm, Forbes.com, 12 July 2026
Democratic socialists and academic experts say the ideology isn't communism, but rather a belief that the economy should be run for the public’s benefit through democratic decision-making.

— Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 11 July 2026

Definition of academic

Browse Nearby Words

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Style

“Polymath.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/polymath. Accessed 18 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of polymath

noun

adjective

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