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.

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

polymath

2 of 2

adjective

variants or polymathic

as in erudite

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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

Robert Gordon The polymath author/moviemaker/historian and three-time Grammy winner has provided audiences with insight and entertainment for decades, via books, CD anthologies and documentaries that take deep dives into music, politics and culture. — John Beifuss, Memphis Commercial Appeal, 2 Aug. 2026 Putnam was a polymath who made important strides far beyond just philosophy to mathematics, logic, computer science, and even quantum mechanics. — Theodore McDarrah, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026 Ben Franklin, the oldest founding father and polymath, stands across from George Washington, the first president of the United States. — Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA Today, 20 July 2026 By comparing shadows at two locations, the Greek polymath Eratosthenes becomes the first person to accurately calculate the circumference of the earth. — New York Times, 17 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for polymath

Recent Examples of Synonyms for polymath

Noun

Guadagnino speaks in calligraphy; adjectives almost certainly accompany a proper name — the extraordinary, the wonderful, the genius.

— E. Alex Jung, Vulture, 2 Oct. 2026
No sooner than the broadcast of the Braves’ Wild Card Series game began Tuesday, showing pockets of empty seats at Truist Park, the social-media geniuses blessed us with their bouquets of wisdom.

— Ken Sugiura, AJC.com, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of genius

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

Noun

His only drum teacher, a Dublin jazz player, briefly tried to show a young Mullen how to play like the virtuoso Steve Gadd.

— Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 28 Sep. 2026
Great virtuosi such as violinist Isaac Stern, pianist Van Cliburn, soprano Leontyne Price and hosts of other incredible artists, both American and from abroad, blessed our concert halls with their dazzling artistry.

— Letters to the Editor, Washington Post, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of virtuoso

Adjective

Not voting in Brazil incurs a small fine as participation is mandatory for literate citizens aged 18 to 70.

— ABC News, ABC News, 7 Oct. 2026
In sub-Saharan Africa, only 75 percent of people between the ages of 15 and 24 are literate, and much of the continent suffers from brain drain.

— Jared Cohen, Foreign Affairs, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of literate

Noun

While Star Wars might be known for laser swords and space wizards, it's always been about weird little dudes doing even weirder things.

— Hayes Madsen, Space.com, 2 Oct. 2026
View gallery - 3 images There was a time when intelligent rings were what your level-three wizard wore in a Dungeons and Dragons campaign.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of wizard

Adjective

The gift will support the expansion of the institution’s Asian art galleries, as well as acquisitions, scholarly research, and public programs on Sri Lankan art.

— Francesca Aton, ARTnews.com, 6 Oct. 2026
The money will support acquisitions, scholarly research, and public programming, focused primarily on South Asian and Sri Lankan art.

— News Desk, Artforum, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of scholarly

Noun

Foreign Policy named him to its inaugural list of the world’s 100 most important global thinkers.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 7 Oct. 2026
The schools offer a broad liberal arts education, in recognition that senior leadership must be critical thinkers who can understand different points of view.

— Annie Ma, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of thinker

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

Browse Nearby Words

polyhistors

polymath

polymaths

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Polymath.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/polymath. Accessed 8 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of polymath

noun

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

etiquette

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes